USMC Air Squadrons Marine Fixed Wing 'VM' Squadrons Cold War/Vietnam Era

[GUDMAR1975]

VMO-1 Marine Observation Squadron 1 In service 1943 to 1993

That was my squadron...1989-1993 MCAS New River, NC.

 

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[Salvage Sailor]

On 8/12/2017 at 9:30 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

 

VMCJ-1 (1958-1975) Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron One http://www.mcara.us/VMCJ-1.html

 

 

VMAQ-4 SEAHAWKS, successor squadron to VMCJ-1. Operation Decisive Endeavor, Bosnia 1996

 

 

On May 21, 1981 VMAQ-4 was established as a reserve squadron at NAS Whidbey Island flying the EA-6A. Many members of the new VMAQ-4 had flown EA-6As in Vietnam while in VMCJ-1, and when the time came to designate a tail code the members reprised the old “RM” as a remembrance of VMCJ-1.

 

 

During the spring of 1991, VMAQ-4 transitioned from the EA-6A to the newer EA-6B Prowler. That summer, the squadron was activated for a Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan to help relieve the active duty squadron VMAQ-2 detachments that spent the previous 14 months overseas. During the UDP, VMAQ-4 had several "mini-det"s to places such as Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa; RAAF Curtin, Australia; and Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Philippines. After returning from the UDP and standing down for approximately 10 months as a reserve squadron, VMAQ-4 was restructured as an active duty squadron and moved to MCAS Cherry Point in October 1992. Around the same time, one year after Operation Desert Storm, VMAQ-2, detachments X (x-ray), Y (yankee), and Z (zulu) were divided into three squadrons, VMAQ-1, 2, and 3. This restructuring move gave the Marine Corps four full active duty EA-6B squadrons based out of MCAS Cherry Point, NC. From 1996 to 1998, VMAQ-4 and its “RM” tail flash flew in support of combat sorties from Aviano Air Base, Italy during Operation Deny Flight, Operation Decisive Endeavour, and Operation Deliberate Guard over the former Yugoslavia. In March 1999, with only three days notice, VMAQ-4 deployed again to Aviano, in support of NATO Operation Allied Force, joining VMAQ-2 and other U.S. Navy EA-6B squadrons flying hundreds of air strikes against the Serbian Air Force and Air Defense during the Kosovo Campaign. In 2002, VMAQ-4 deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch.

 

[Salvage Sailor]

January - April 1971, the first Harrier BIS trials at Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River

TAV-8A Harrier Two-seat training version for the USMC, powered by a Pegasus Mk 103

 

VMA-513 was the first USMC Squadron to train with and receive these Harriers after the test trial period.

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

MAWTS-1 Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One - Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Yuma, AZ

 

 

The Weapons and Tactics Training Program (WTTP) was initiated on 5 May 1976 to increase the combat readiness of aviation units. Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) was commissioned on 1 June 1978 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, AZ to implement the WTTP.

 

[Salvage Sailor]

VMA-133 DRAGONS USMCR part of Marine Aircraft Group 42 of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and was based out of Naval Air Station Alameda, California.

 

 

On 15 April 1958 the squadron was reactivated as part of the Marine Air Reserve and was based out of Naval Air Station Oakland, California. In July 1961 they moved to Naval Air Station Alameda, CA. In 1962 they gained their final designation of Marine Attack Squadron 133 as they began to transition to the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. The squadron was a part of Marine Aircraft Group 42 and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing however they were deactivated on 30 September 1992 as part of the post-Cold War drawdown of the U.S. Military.

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

USMC A-6 INTRUDER - Vietnam Era

 

[GUDMAR1975]

That is my old squadron. We flew the OV-10 Bronco.

VMO-1 Marine Observation Squadron 1 In service 1943 to 1993

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[Salvage Sailor]

On 7/22/2017 at 8:23 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

VMFP-3 EYES OF THE CORPS - http://cv41.org/vmfp3hist.html

 

VMFP-3 DET-2 USS MIDWAY (CV-41)

"EYES OF THE CORPS"

 

Flying RF-4B PHANTOMS, RF-4Bs of VMFP-3 were permanently deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41) from 1975 to 1984. A six-plane detachment operated as part of Carrier Air Wing Five, although retaining their own tail code "RF".