VMA-513

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Marine Attack Squadron 513
VMA-513 Insignia
Active	February 15, 1944 - present
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	VSTOL Squadron
Role	Close air support aerial reconnaissance
Part of	Marine Aircraft Group 13 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Nickname	"Flying Nightmares"
Battles/wars	World War II * Battle of Okinawa Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom

Marine Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513) is a United States Marine Corps fighter squadron consisting of AV-8B Harrier (V/STOL) jets. Known as the "Flying Nightmares", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona and falls under Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).

1 History
2 Triva
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] History

[edit] World War II

Marine Attack Squadron 513 was first commissioned as VMF-513 on February 15, 1944 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Field Oak Grove, North Carolina, flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat. The squadron was transferred to Marine Corps Auxiliary Field Walnut Range, Arkansas in September 1944. In December of the same year, the squadron moved to Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, California where it was re-designated VMF(CVS)-513. On June 15, 1945, VMF(CVS)-513 departed San Diego, California, aboard the USS Vella Gulf (CVE-111) and participated in carrier operations in the Pacific, making stops in Ewa, Enewetak, Saipan, and Guam. In addition, they provided close air support for the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Okinawa, Japan.

VMF-513 logo during World War II

[edit] Korean War

A F4U Corsair from VMF(N)-513 in 1950 during the Korean War.

Between World War II and the Korean War, VMF-513 operated from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. Transitioning to the F4U-5N, the squadron was re-designated VMF(N)-513 ("Night Fighters"). In August 1950, the squadron deployed to Japan under operational control of the U.S. 5th Air Force.

During the summer of 1952, VMF(N)-513 received the F3D Skyknight, the squadron's first jet aircraft. With the new jet fighter, VMF(N)-513 made aviation history with the first radar kill on an enemy jet aircraft at night and was credited with 10 confirmed night kills during the Korean Conflict.

Following the war, the squadron operated out of NAS Atsugi, Japan. On 26 July 1958, VMF-513 received the F4D Skyray aircraft. In October 1962, VMF(AW)-513 was relocated from NAS Atsugi Japan to MCAS El Toro, California. The outfit was effectively disbanded in Japan and reformed in El Toro under a new CO, who organized new pilots and maintenance Marines to operate the now "old" F-4D Skyrays while the Flying Nightmares awaited delivery of the brand new F-4 Phantom II. This occurred in early 1963 and most of the Nightmare pilots did their transition training at nearby NAS Miramar, at the Navy's replacement squadron.

[edit] The 1960s

On August 1, 1963, the squadron was re-designated VMFA-513 and by the end of the year, the Nightmares were exclusively flying F-4's, the third Phantom II squadron in the Marine Corps. They trained in the F-4B at El Toro through October 1964, when they deployed once again to NAS Atsugi, Japan. In June 1965, the Nightmares replaced VMFA-531 in Ad Nan, Viet Nam for five months of combat and, for a while, were the only Marine jet fighters in country. This one-year overseas deployment ended in October 1965 and the squadron executed another wholesale personnel rotation, this time reforming at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.

[edit] The 1970s and 1980s

At MCAS Cherry Point, the squadron flew the F-4B "Phantom" until June 30, 1970, when it was re-commissioned as cadre, awaiting delivery of the first Marine AV-8A "Harrier" on April 16, 1971 and re-designation as VMA-513. Upon reassignment to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, VMA-513 departed the U.S. during July 1974 aboard the USS Tripoli for MCAS Iwakuni, and a six-plane detachment left in September 1974 for a six month Mediterranean cruise aboard the USS Guam. During November 1976, VMA-513 returned to the United States and was assigned to Marine Combat Crew Readiness Training Group 10 at MCAS Yuma, Arizona (re-designated Marine Aircraft Group 13 on October 1, 1987). In October 1987, the squadron received the improved AV-8B Harrier II.

[edit] The Gulf War

U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft from VMA-513) fly in formation during Operation Desert Shield.

In February 1991, VMA-513 deployed for operations in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield, employing their new Harrier II's in support of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit; logging 103 combat sorties with no losses. At this time, VMA-513 effectively conducted combat operations from austere sites in Southwest Asia. The Nightmares returned home with all of their assets and no loss of life or major injury. Throughout the 1990s and early 21st century the squadron continued to support Marine Expeditionary Units aboard ship for normal six month long deployments to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf.

[edit] Global War on Terror

From October 2002 to September 2003, VMA-513 (-) (REIN) deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan for combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Throughout their year in sustained combat, the Marines and Sailors of VMA-513 (-) (REIN) provided close air support, armed reconnaissance, and combat escort for the United States and over 20 Coalition countries of the Combined Joint Task Force 180. Throughout its time in combat in Afghanistan, the squadron amassed 1,250 combat sorties and 3,763.6 flight hours with only six aircraft while operating from a remote austere forward combat base. Additionally, VMA-513 (-) (REIN) flew 1,833.7 nighttime hours; thus, providing day and night precision strike capability for American and Coalition units with the newly introduced Litening II Targeting Pod. VMA-513 (-) (REIN) supported numerous US and Coalition operations that led to the capture or destruction of many Al Queda and Taliban enemy forces. While the squadron minus was deployed to Afghanistan, a six plane detachment was also deployed twice with Marine Expeditionary Units aboard ship and flew combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and operations on the Horn of Africa.

In February 2006, the Flying Nightmares were again deployed to Al Asad Air Base Iraq, to provide close air ground support for ground units in the Iraq area. The squadron flew 4519 combat hours with a sortie completion rate of over 95%.