VMAQ-3
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| Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 | |
|---|---|
 VMAQ-3 Insignia |
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| Active | September 15, 1952 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Attack |
| Role | Electronic Warfare |
| Part of | Marine Aircraft Group 14 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point |
| Nickname | "Moon Dogs" |
| Motto | "Non Videre Est Credere" |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Deny Flight Operation Deliberate Guard Operation Iraqi Freedom |
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 (VMAQ-2) is one of four Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons in the United States Marine Corps. The squadron consists of five EA-6B Prowler jets and is tasked with conducting airborne electronic warfare. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 14 (MAG-14), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW).
[edit] Mission
The mission of VMAQ-3 is to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Commander by conducting airborne electronic warfare, day or night, under all weather conditions during Expeditionary, Joint, or Combined operations.
[edit] History
VMC-2 was formally commissioned at MCAS Cherry Point on September 15, 1952, evolving from the Airborne Early Warning and Electronic Countermeasures section of the Wing Headquarters Squadron. On December 1, 1955, the squadron was combined with Marine Photographic Squadron 2 (VMC-2). In July 1975, VMCJ-2 was reorganized into separate electronic warfare and photoreconnaissance squadrons. VMAQ-2, based at MCAS Cherry Point, retained all electronic warfare aircraft, while the photo reconnaissance aircraft became VMFP-3, based at MCAS El Toro, California. VMAQ-2 was organized into three Detachments; XRAY, YANKEE and ZULU to better support the Marine Corps' world wide mission. On July 1, 1992, VMAQ-3 was commissioned and formed from the personnel and aircraft of VMAQ-2 Detachment ZULU.
Some of the aircraft flown by VMAQ-3's tactical electronic warfare predecessors included; the AD-5Q Skyraider, the EF-10B Skyknight and the EA-6A Electric Intruder. In 1977, the Marine Corps received the first of its EA-6B "Prowlers,". In October 1994, VMAQ-3 received The Association of Old Crows Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron of the Year Award.
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Three (VMAQ-3) was designated on July 1, 1992, as a product of the reorganization of the Marine Corps' only Electronic Warfare Squadron, VMAQ-2.
VMAQ-3 began integrating with Carrier Airwing One (CVW-1), in December 1994 and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf aboard the USS America (CV-66) in August of 1995. The Squadron saw combat action in Operation Deliberate Force, Operation Deny Flight and Operation Decisive Endeavor. Additionally the squadron participated in Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf.
Early 1997 found the Moondogs preparing to deploy to Aviano Air Base, Italy. From February to August the Moondogs conducted air operations over Bosnia in support of Operation Deliberate Guard while also supporting Operation Silver Wake, a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation conducted in Albania.
In December 2000 to April 2001, VMAQ-3 deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch.
