The basic tactical and administrative unit of United States Marine Corps aviation is the squadron. Fixed-wing aircraft squadrons (heavier than air) are denoted by the letter "V." Rotary wing (helicopter) squadrons use "H." Marine squadrons are always noted by the second letter "M." Squadron numbering is not linear as some were numbered in ascending order and others took numbers from the wing or the ship to which they were assigned[1].
The squadron is responsible for the helicopter transportation of the President of the United States, Vice President, Cabinet members and VIPs. In addition to its VIP transport role, it is also tasked with operational test and evaluation (OT&E) of new flight systems for Marine Corps helicopters[2]. The squadron currently flies the VH-3D Sea King and the VH-60N Blackhawk but these are due to be replaced by the VH-71 Kestrel in the near future[3].
Heavy helicopter squadrons were first formed in 1966 when the Marine Corps began flying the heavy lift CH-53 Sea Stallion during the Vietnam War[4]. Their primary role is moving cargo and equipment with the secondary role of transferring troops ashore in an amphibious assault. Most of the squadrons have transitioned to the larger and more powerful CH-53E Super Stallion however three squadrons of the original Sea Stallions still remain.[5]
The Marine Corps’ light attack squadrons are composite squadrons usually made up of 18 AH-1W Cobras and 9 UH-1Ns. The primary missions of the Cobra is close air support, forward air control, reconnaissance and armed escort [6] while the Huey provides airborne command and control, utility support, supporting arms coordination and medical evacuation. [7] Both airframes are due to be upgraded as part of the H-1 Upgrade Program which will see them get greater power, improved avionics and an 85% commonality of parts. When they aircraft are upgraded they will have the new nomenclatures AH-1Z and UH-1Y[8].
The Marine Corps' HMM squadrons first came to being in 1964 with the fielding of the CH-46 Sea Knight medium helicopter. They provide all-weather, day/night, night vision goggle (NVG) assault transport of combat troops, supplies, and equipment during amphibious and subsequent operations ashore. Troop assault is their primary function and the movement of supplies and equipment is secondary.[9] The CH-46 is currently being replaced by the MV-22 Osprey and HMM squadrons are incrementally being deactivated and coming back as VMMs.[10]
Marine tiltrotor squadrons are new units operating the MV-22 Osprey with their main mission being Assault support. As the Marine Corps’ number one aviation acquisition priority, the Osprey is replacing the aging fleet of CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters and is a cornerstone of the capstone concept of Expeditionary maneuver warfare. [11] The Marine Corps is planning on transitioning two squadrons a year to the new airframe until all squadrons have made the conversion. [12]
VMGR squadrons operate the KC-130 Hercules tanker/transport. Their primary missions are aerial refuelling and rapid ground refuelling, transportation of personnel and cargo to include MEDEVACs and parachute insertions, flying the airborne version of the Direct Air Support Center (DASC) and emergency resupply into unimproved landing zones. [13]
The Marine Corps' VMFA squadrons fly the single seat, A & C models of the F/A-18 Hornet and their primary role is to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft under all-weather conditions and attack and destroy surface targets under the weather. [16]
VMFT-401 is the only aggressor squadron in the Marine Corps. They fly the F-5E Tiger II and provide instruction to active and reserve squadrons through dissimilar adversary combat tactics.[18]
VMR squadrons provide Search and Rescue support as well as movement of key personnel and critical logistics support around the world. They also provide movement of high priority passengers and cargo during wartime in support of operations and other critical commitments. [20]
VMUs operate the RQ-2 Pioneerunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which provides Marine ground forces with information, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance. They also provide artillery spotting and can assist in search and rescue operations[21]. Since 2004, the VMU squadrons have also been operating the ScanEagle UAV which is newer, provides longer endurance and can work at higher altitudes. [22]. Both of these systems will eventually be replaced by the Vertical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle which is currently being developed to meet the future Tier III requirements of the Marine Corps,[23]
Scout bombing squadrons each had eighteen to twenty-four SBD Dauntless dive bombers and were tasked with conducting dive-bombing attacks and long range scouting and patrol missions. They also provided close air support, laid smoke screens and sprayed DDT around bases [24]. The majority of these squadrons were quickly deactivated following the end of World War II although three entered the Marine Air Reserve for a short period.
Marine Fighting Squadrons were multirole squadrons responsible for air-to-air combat, combat air patrols, attacking enemy shipping, escorting bombers and close air support[24]. By far the most numerous of any type of Marine Corps squadron, they first made their mark flying the F4F Wildcat as part of the Cactus Air Force on Guadalcanal and finished World War II flying the venerable F4U Corsair. Many VMF squadrons continued to operate after the war with most in the Marine Air Reserve however with the retirement of the F-8 Crusader the VMF squadrons either became VMFAs or were deactivated.
Marine night fighting squadrons were born out of the frustration of the Cactus Air Force not being able to engage Japanese bombers at night during the Battle of Guadalcanal. This led to the formation of the first VMF(N) in Novermber 1942. After much deliberation the PV-1 Ventura was picked as the first choice of aircraft for these squadrons. The night fighting squadrons featured radar equipped aircraft and ground based radar and personnel that provided Ground-controlled interception. The VMF(N) designated squadrons were deactivated after the war as the night fighting mission was assumed by the fighter and attack communities.[26]
The Marine Bombing Squadrons were formed during World War II to fill the need for a long range, land based bomber that could be used against enemy shipping and submarines. In the Pacific Theater, the squadrons served ashore as a garrison air force to attack bypassed Japanese bases and other installations. The VMBs flew the PBJ-1, which was the naval version of the B-25 Mitchell. Sixteen of these squadrons were commissioned with seven serving in combat, four never able to leave the U.S. due to the war ending and four others converted to VMTB squadrons.[27] The seven PBJ squadrons that saw combat in the Pacific suffered the loss of 45 aircraft, 26 in combat and 19 in non-combat operations, and 173 crew, 62 officers and 111 enlisted men. [28]
Marine photographic squadrons were first formed in 1942 and went through numerous name changes while they were active. VMDs/VMPs flew photographic modified versions of the SBD Dauntless, PB4Y-1 Liberator and PB4Y-2 Privateer. The main mission of these squadrons was to conduct long range, very high-altitude photographic reconnaissance [24].
The Marine Corps established a glider program in April of 1942. Eventually they set goals of having 10,800 Marines qualified as glider infantry, with 1,371 gliders and 3,436 pilots [29]. They originally operated from Page Field on MCRD Parris Island but later moved to Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake outside Dallas, Texas[30]. The program was disbanded in 1943 when it was determined that glider assaults into small, heavily fortified, jungle islands would be tactically unfeasible [31].
Flying the R4D and the R5C-1, these squadrons were responsible for movings troops and cargo,aerial resupply, delivery of Paramarines and medical evacuation.The last of these squadrons was deactivated in 1949. [24]
The Marine observation squadrons were formed during the latter stages of World War II with the primary mission of forward air control of strike aircraft for close air support and air interdiction[32]
. They saw extensive service during the Vietnam War flying the OV-10 Bronco. The Marine Corps began decommissioning the VMO squadrons following their participation in Operation Desert Storm as propeller driven aircraft were seen as too dangerous to fly on the modern battlefield. Their mission has been assumed by the VMFA(AW) squadrons.[33]
In 1951, the Marine Corps began fielding the AD-1 Skyraiderground attack aircraft which had as it’s main role close air support for the Marines on the ground. Thus many squadrons had their designation changed from VMF to VMA to reflect this ground attack role. 13 squadrons were equipped with the Skyraider until they were finally phased out in 1958[34]. Follow on VMA squadrons operated the A-4 Skyhawk during the Vietnam War through their retirement just after the Gulf War[35]. The VMA tradition is carried on today by squadrons flying the AV-8B Harrier II.
Upon the decommissioning of the Marine Composite Squadrons (VMCJs), VMFP-3 became the lone photographic reconnaissance squadron in the Marine Corps[36]. They flew the RF-4B Phantom II and operated from 1975 until being decommissioned in 1990. Their capability has since been replaced by various targeting pods used on Marine aircraft and the Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System which is found in some of the F/A-18 Hornet squadrons[37].
The first Marine Corps squadron to be redesignated a VMFA was in June of 1962 upon receipt of the first F-4 Phantom II aircraft. VMF and VMA squadrons were redesignated because the new Phantoms could be both fighter aircraft and ground attack aircraft[38]. These squadrons were heavily deployed during the Vietnam War. Most of these squadrons would eventually convert to the F/A-18 Hornet with the last F-4 Phantom leaving service in 1992 [39]. The end of the Cold War saw the deactivation of some VMFA squadrons as part of the overall drawdown of the US Military[40]
^"EA-6B Prowler". USMC Fact File. U.S. Marine Corps. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^"VMR-1 Official Website". Marine Transport Squadron One Mission. US Marine Corps. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^"The Pioneer News link". VMU-2 gives ground commanders an eye in the sky. US Marine Corps. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^"News Release". Boeing ScanEagle Achieves Major Flight Milestones. Boeing. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ abcdeRottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle – Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^"USMC AD Skyraider Squadrons". The Able Dogs - site for Navy and Marine Corps aviators
who flew all models of the Douglas AD Skyraider. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); line feed character in |publisher= at position 56 (help)
Crowder, Michael J. (2000). United States Marine Corps Aviation Squadron Lineage, Insignia & History - Volume One - The Fighter Squadrons. Turner Publishing Company. ISBN 1-56311-926-9.
DeChant, John A. (1947). Devilbirds: The Story of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Harper & Brothers.
Dorr, Robert F. (2005). Marine Air - The History of the Flying Leathernecks in Words and Photos. Penguin Group. ISBN 0-425-20725-0.
Johnson, Edward C. (1977). Marine Corps Aviation: The Early Years 1912 - 1940. United States Marine Corps.
Millstein, Jeff. (1995). U.S. Marine Corps Aviation Unit Insignia 1941 - 1946. Turner Publishing Company. ISBN 1-56311-211-6.
Sherrod, Robert. (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Combat Forces Press. ISBN 0-933852-58-4.
_Air_Combat_Element_(ACE).jpg?lang=en)
.jpg?lang=en)
-121.png?lang=en){kind=small}
F4F Wildcat
F6F Hellcat
F-8 Crusader
-541.JPG?lang=en){kind=small}
-534.JPG?lang=en){kind=small}
-544.jpg?lang=en){kind=small}
