VMAQ-1
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| Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 | |
|---|---|
 VMAQ-1 Insignia |
|
| Active | July 1, 1992 |
| 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 | Banshee |
| Motto | "Tairngreacht Bas" "Death Foretold" |
| Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Northern Watch Operation Southern Watch Operation Allied Force Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lieutenant Colonel Ronald D. Neff |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | AD-4 Skyraider |
| Electronic warfare |
EA-6B Prowler EA-6A Electric Intruder EF-10B Skynights |
| Fighter | RF-8A Crusaders RF-4B Phantom II’s |
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 (VMAQ-1) is a United States Marine Corps electronic warfare squadron consisting of EA-6B Prowler jets. 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). The VMAQ-1 logo is the Banshee, an Irish mythological figure foretelling death. Its motto is “Tairngreacht Bas,” Gaelic for “Death Foretold.”
Contents |
[edit] Mission
The mission of VMAQ-1 is to conduct airborne electronic warfare in support of Fleet Marine Force operations or other units as the Joint Force Commander directs. This includes suppressing enemy radar and surface-to-air missiles utilizing electronic jamming and High-Speed Anti-Radiation (HARM) missiles, as well as collecting tactical electronic intelligence in a passive electronic support role.
[edit] History
[edit] Korean War
Marine Composite Squadron One (VMC-1) was activated on September 15, 1952 at Pohang (K-3), Korea, in support of Marine Air Control Group 2, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) conducting airborne early warning and electronic countermeasures in support of combat operations. On June 16, 1953, a United States Marine Corps AD-4 Skyraider from VMC-1 piloted by Major George H. Linnemeier and CWO Vernon S. Kramer shot down a Soviet-built Polikarpov Po-2 biplane, the only documented Skyraider air victory of the war.[1]. The squadron continued support in defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone through March 1955. Following the Korean War, VMC-1 was redeployed to MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and re-designated as VMCJ-1 after merging with Marine Photographic Squadron One (VMJ-1).
[edit] Vietnam War
Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, VMCJ-1 saw extensive service during the Vietnam War. From April 14, 1964 to December 16, 1965, the squadron flew its RF-8A Crusaders in photoreconnaissance missions from the USS Ticonderoga, USS Constellation, USS Coral Sea, and the USS Oriskany. In April 1965, VMCJ-1 took its EF-10B aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and joined Marine Aircraft Group 16 at Danang to combat the increase of surface-to-air missiles in Vietnam. In July of that same year, six VMCJ-1 EF-10B Skynights supported the first strike against a surface-to-air missile site in history. In November 1966, the Grumman EA-6A Electric Intruder was introduced at Danang and flew combat missions as far north as Hanoi and Haiphong and eventually phased out the EF-10Bs. VMCJ-1 retired its RF-8A Crusaders and received RF-4B Phantom II’s to accomplish the photoreconnaissance mission. Again VMCJ-1 carried out a major portion of the area reconnaissance and electronic warfare missions for USMACV, just as it did for 5th AF in the Korean War with its photographic reconnaissance. VMCJ-1 provided escort for B-52s, support for tactical air strikes, and collection of all forms of electronic intelligence. On the photorecon side, VMCJ-1 was operating in a science which had become much more sophisticated and was now called "imagery intelligence."
After the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam, VMCJ-1 was again flying missions from Navy aircraft carriers. During the fall of South Vietnam from September 11, 1973 to December 31, 1975, VMCJ-1 and VMCJ-1 Det 101 conducted missions from the USS Midway.
[edit] Post Vietnam & the 80s
After Vietnam, the composite community was again reorganized and split into Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Two (VMAQ-2) and Marine Photo-Reconnaissance Squadron Three (VMFP-3). Personnel and aircraft from each of the VMCJ’s were divided and re-designated as detachments Alpha through Charlie within the larger VMAQ-2/VMFP-3 squadrons. VMAQ-2, Detachment A, flying the EA-6A, rotated with its sister detachments in support of the USS Midway Carrier Air Wing conducting operations from the Gulf of Tonkin to Korea.
Now flying the EA-6B, detachment A was renamed detachment X. During Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, detachment X-ray was called upon to extend its normal six-month rotation to thirteen months in order to maintain a watch over the Western Pacific.
Following Operation Desert Storm, the criticality and shortage of electronic attack assets was finally recognized. The decision was made to reorganize back to the original three electronic warfare squadrons. In addition, a fourth squadron was gained by activating the reserve Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Four (VMAQ-4). While deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, VMAQ-2 detachment X-ray was re-commissioned as Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 on July 1, 1992 with the mission to conduct electronic warfare in support of Marine Forces and Joint/Combined operations.
[edit] The 90s
- September 1995, VMAQ-1 deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy for six months supporting Operations Deny FLight and Decisive Endeavor over Bosnia-Herzegovina until March of 1996.
- July 1997, VMAQ-1 established the first six-month EA-6B deployment to Incirlik Air Base in support of Operation Northern Watch (ONW) flying over 1,000 hours and 200 combat sorties.
- December 1998, VMAQ-1 again deployed to Incirlik Airbase in support of ONW for seven months flying over 1,100 hours and 236 combat sorties. While deployed, VMAQ-1 was called upon to re-deploy to Aviano Airbase to reinforce VMAQ-2 in support of Operation Allied Force.
- September 2000, VMAQ-1, deployed to Prince Sultan Airbase, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch (OSW) as part of the overall Joint EA-6B deployment schedule.
- August 2001, VMAQ-1 deployed to Incirlik Airbase in support of Operation Northern Watch. The squadron logged over 530 hours and 160 combat sorties. During this time VMAQ-1 supported several strikes on Iraqi air defense sites.
- April 2004, VMAQ-1 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.
[edit] Between Deployments
- VMAQ-1 routinely deploys to MCAS Yuma, AZ to participate in the Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course (WTI). Other bases that they detach to have been NAS El Centro and Nellis AFB.
[edit] Global War on Terrorism
- February 2003, VMAQ-1 deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base to support Operation Southern Watch and shortly after arrival, to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. In seven weeks the squadron’s aircrew and aircraft flew an incredible 1129 combat hours and 197 combat sorties.
- The squadron again deployed to Al Asad, Iraq in August of 2005 as part of II MEF to provide nonkinetic firepower to protect Marines and Soldiers on the ground. The Prowler attacks by disrupting communications or disabling the enemy's capabilities using specialized equipment on board. During this deployment they flew over 800 combat missions, racked up more than 3000 combat flight hours and their maintenance crews provided more than 41,000 maintenance hours. The squadron returned to MCAS Cherry Point by early February of 2006.[2].
- The squadron again deployed to Al Asad, Iraq in January of 2007.
[edit] Awards
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Navy Unit Commendation (three bronzed stars)
- Korean Service Medal (two bronze stars)
- National Defense Service Medal (three bronze stars)
- Korean Presidential Unit Citation
- Vietnam Service Medal (two silver and three bronze stars)
- Vietnam Gallantry Cross (Palm Steamer)
- Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation for Civil Actions
The Marine Corps Aviation Association "Squadron of the Year": 1995, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006.
II MEF awarded VMAQ-1 with the 2006 II MEF CG "Chesty Puller Award" for Outstanding Leadership.
Association of Old Crows "Outstanding Unit" in 1994, and 2006
Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award for 2002 and 2006
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Grossnick and Armstrong 1997
- ^ Snead, Cpl Micah (2006-01-25). "Banshees" prepare to prowl home. Marine Corps News. United States Marine Corps.
[edit] References
[edit] Books
- Grossnick, R. and Armstrong W.J. (1997). United States Naval Aviation, 1910-1995. Naval Historical Center. ISBN 0-16049-124-X.
