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US Marine Corps - Marine Tactical
Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 VMAQ-4 'Seahawks' |
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 deactivation ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - June 2, 2017  deactivation ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - June 2, 2017  deactivation ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - June 2, 2017  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) during exercise Red Flag 17-2 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - February 2017  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) returning from deployment - October 2016  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) at Incirlik Airbase, Turkey - September 2016 EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - March 2016  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - March 2016  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - March 2016  EA-6B Prowler, center (VMAQ-4) with Prowlers from other VMAQ's - March 2016  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - March 2016  EA-6B Prowler, 09 (VMAQ-4) - March 2016  excerpt  EA-6B Prowler, 09 (VMAQ-4) with Prowlers from other VMAQ's - March 2016  EA-6B Prowler, 09 (VMAQ-4) with Prowlers from other VMAQ's - March 2016  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - March 2016  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) during exercise Red Flag 15-3 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - July 2015  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) during exercise Red Flag 15-3 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - July 2015  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) during exercise Red Flag 15-3 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - July 2015  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) during exercise Red Flag 15-3 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - July 2015  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) returning from deployment - February 2015  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) returning from deployment - February 2015  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - December 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - December 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - December 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - December 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - December 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - December 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - December 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - December 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - December 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - December 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - November 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - November 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - November 2014  excerpt  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - November 2014  excerpt  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - November 2014  excerpt  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) - Central Command AOR - November 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) during exercise Red Flag 14-1 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - February 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) during exercise Red Flag 14-1 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - January 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) during exercise Red Flag 14-1 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - January 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) during exercise Red Flag 14-1 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - January 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) during exercise Red Flag 14-1 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - January 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) at Osan Airbase, South Korea - March 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - February 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) performing at MCAS Cherry Point Airshow - May 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) performing at MCAS Cherry Point Airshow - May 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) performing at MCAS Cherry Point Airshow - May 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) performing at MCAS Cherry Point Airshow - May 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) at Al Asad Airbase, Iraq - May 2005  EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ-4) at Al Asad Airbase, Iraq - February 2005  Change of Command Ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point - July 2004  change of command ceremony outside Hangar 3. Lieutenant Colonel Karl Johnson, US Marine Corps Reserve, relieves LCDR James L. Anderest, USMC Reserve, as commanding officer of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 (VMAQ-4) at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - June 5, 1983 |
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Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 (VMAQ-4) was initially
activated as a reserve squadron as part of the 4th Marine Aircraft
Wing on 21 May 1981. During official ceremonies on 7 November 1981,
the Squadron was commissioned and assigned to fly the EA-6A. Many
members of the newly established VMAQ-4 had flown EA-6As in Vietnam
with VMCJ-1, and when the time came to designate a tail code the
Seahawks reprised the old “Romeo Mike” as a remembrance of VMCJ-1.
The “RM” designation dates back to 15 September 1952, when VMC-1
received the identifier with its establishment at Pohang-dong in
Korea. In March 1991, VMAQ-4 mobilized to support Operation DESERT STORM and assumed control of six EA-6Bs. In June 1991, the Seahawks flew to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan to relieve VMAQ-2's Detachment Xray. The Seahawks participated in exercises at Kadena AFB, Curfcin Australia, and Misawa AFB. In November 1991, VMAQ-4 returned to NAS Whidbey Island for demobilization. On 12 September 1992 LtCol S. K. Protezeller passed the squadron colors to LtCol D. P. Rann in a ceremony that marked the deactivation of VMAQ-4 as an element of the Marine Corps Reserve. On 2 October 1992, LtCol Rann assumed command of VMAQ-4 as the squadron was re-activated into the Regular Marine Corps and relocated to MCAS Cherry Point, NC. From its activation, the Seahawks enjoyed several successful deployments, participating in many exercises and operations. These included BATTLE GRIFFIN in Bodo, Norway as well as inclusion in the regular Iwakuni deployment cycle where the squadron participated in a two and a half month deployment to Darwin, Australia for Exercise SOUTHERN FRONTIER '94. On 19 November 1994, VMAQ-4 was given a rapid deployment order to take part in Operation DENY FLIGHT. Within 24 hours, Seahawk aircrew and equipment were on their way to NAS Sigonella, Italy, in support of NATO and UN operations in Bosnia. The Seahawks returned to Cherry Point in January 1995 and immediately began preparations for their May 1995 deployment to Iwakuni. During this time of increased operational tempo, VMAQ-4 received MCAA’s 1995 inaugural Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron of the Year for VMAQ-4’s commitment to excellence. The Seahawks due diligence was also recognized with the CNO Safety Award. Upon return to MCAS Cherry Point in January 1996, the Seahawks participated in various exercises which were in preparation for its upcoming deployment to Aviano AB to relieve VMAQ-2. From August 1996 to February 1997, VMAQ-4 supported Operation DECISIVE ENDEAVOR and Operation DELIBERATE GUARD. They also conducted War at Sea exercises against 26th MEU and the USS Arleigh Burke. VMAQ-4 would find itself spending more time in Northern Italy as they deployed on schedule once again from February 1998 to July 1998 back to Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of Operation DELIBERATE GUARD. In March of 1999, VMAQ-4 received the order to redeploy to Aviano AB, Italy, for Operation ALLIED FORCE and NATO strikes on the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. In 2000 the unit participated in Exercise MAPLE FLAG in Cold Lake AB, Canada, and later in Exercise FOAL EAGLE in Iwakuni, Japan. In 2002 the Seahawks participated in Operation CORONET WHITE. In August of 2003, the squadron deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. Upon returning to Cherry Point, the Seahawks made preparations for fall detachments to Exerise RED FLAG at Nellis AFB and a DEFTAC exercise at MCAS Yuma. From January to April 2004, VMAQ-4 again deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan and upon return sent a detachment to Cold Lake AB, Canada for Exercise MAPLE FLAG. In January 2005, the squadron deployed to Al Asad, Iraq for a six- month combat tour. After a successful deployment, the squadron returned to Cherry Point in July and supported the fall WTI course in Yuma, AZ. In 2006, VMAQ-4 conducted a DEFTAC exercise in MCAS Yuma and later that year supported Exercise RED FLAG 06-02B. In January 2007, VMAQ-4 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni from January to April where they conducted DEFTAC and HARM exercises at Kadena AFB in Okinawa and participated in Operation FOAL EAGLE. VMAQ-4 returned from deployment in April 2007. On August 2007, VMAQ-4 conducted a TACDEMO exercise at MCAS Yuma in order to prove the effectiveness of the integration of the EA6B and the LITENING Targeting Pod. Later that fall, a VMAQ-4 detachment augmented WTI 1-08 in MCAS Yuma. During December 2007, VMAQ-4 deployed to MCAS Yuma in support of Exercise DESERT TALON 01-08. Upon return to MCAS Cherry Point, the squadron spent the remainder of 2007 preparing for the upcoming deployment to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in January 2008. In January 2008, VMAQ-4 deployed to Al Asad Air Base for a six month deployment in support of OIF 06-08. source: USMC - - - - - Squadron deactivation - press release: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Hundreds of Marines gathered to pay homage with their families and say goodbye to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 as they officially completed their sundown after 35 years of supporting operations around the world, in a deactivation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 2, 2017. Tracing their lineage back to Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron One in the 1950’s, VMAQ-4, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, was officially commissioned on Nov. 7, 1981. Originally, the Seahawks flew the EA-6A Electric Intruder and then transitioned to the EA-6B Prowler in the 1990’s. “I was with VMAQ-4 when it was a newborn and up until its first steps,” said retired Col. James Anderst, VMAQ-4’s first commanding officer. “This is a tough assignment to say goodbye to something so special. This is not a burial, but a wake and a celebration of life.” The squadron’s mission was to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by conducting airborne electronic warfare, day or night, under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations. “VMAQ-4 and its electronic warfare mission have a history of saving lives,” said Anderst. “Each Marine that has ever served in VMAQ-4 has played a critical role in the defense of our nation.” The Seahawks have been active over the skies of Korea, Vietnam, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and most recently, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. “It’s about the Marines on the parade deck, in the audience and the Marines who are no longer with us,” said Lt. Col. Paul K. Johnson III, VMAQ-4’s commanding officer. “It is about every Marine who has ever worn our patch and called themselves a Seahawk.” In conjunction with the sundown of the Prowler, the remaining Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons will be deactivated, one each year, until completion in 2019. “While we are sad at the loss of a machine,” said Johnson. “The friends, brothers and sisters, squadron mates, and Marines that make up this squadron will go on and that is what we celebrate today.” In the last two years, VMAQ-4 has supported two Red Flag exercises, two Weapons and Tactics Instructors courses, and a deployment to Turkey in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. VMAQ-4 was also recognized as the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron of the year for 2016. “We have finished at the top of our game,” said Johnson. “Ladies and gentlemen, for the last time… the Marines of VMAQ-4.” source: USMC - - - - - another History: Korean War: On September 15, 1952, VMC-1 was established at Pohang-dong, Korea. While flying combat missions during the Korean War, VMC-1 flew the Douglas AD-4N Skyraider from 1952 to 1958. After flying the Skyraider, VMC-1 was combined with VMJ-1 on July 31, 1958 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. This combination, along with the formation of VMCJ-2, provided the Marine Corps with squadrons that were dedicated to perform electronic warfare and photoreconnaissance missions. Vietnam War: During this new era, VMCJ-1 flew the first carrier-based all weather jet, the Douglas F3D-2Q Skynight. In 1962, the Navy and Marine Corps re-designated all of their aircraft, resulting in the plane’s new designation of EF-10 Skynight. VMCJ-1’s Skynights were the only jet-powered aircraft to fly combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. From April 14, 1964 to December 16, 1965 VMCJ-1 flew its Vought RF-8A Crusaders in photoreconnaissance missions from the USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), USS Constellation (CVA-64), USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and the USS Oriskany (CVA-34). In April 1965 VMCJ-1 took its EF-10B aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and joined Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-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’s 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-10B Skynight. VMCJ-1 retired its RF-8A Crusaders and received McDonald-Douglas RF-4B Phantom IIs to accomplish the photoreconnaissance mission. VMCJ-2 and VMCJ-3 also rotated through Danang with the VMCJ squadrons flying electronic attack and photoreconnaissance missions for thousands of strike missions for the remainder of the Vietnam War. 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 Detachment 101 conducted missions from the USS Midway (CVA-41), eventually being replaced by VMCJ-2 in December 1975 when the USS Midway returned to her home port. Reorganization and the 1980s: Due to force restructures, the Marine Corps decided to reorganize its squadrons to establish dedicated electronic attack and reconnaissance squadrons. The result was the establishment on July 1, 1974 of VMFP-3 at MCAS El Toro, which would then only fly the RF-4B Phantom II. All EA-6A aircraft were reorganized at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina under the designation VMAQ-2. In September 1975, VMCJ-1 and its “Romeo Mike” tail flash was disestablished. During this time, the U.S. Navy had been receiving the newly designed Grumman EA-6B Prowler. The Marine Corps decided to maintain its war proven EA-6A’s until the Prowler Improved Capability (ICAP) aircraft would be produced. In the early 1980s, the Marine Corps began receiving the ICAP EA-6B Prowlers. The growing number of Prowlers forced the Marine Corps to reduce its number of EA-6A’s. To accomplish this, the Marine Corps moved its EA-6A’s to the Marine Reserves at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. This allowed the Marine Corps to maintain a proven electronic attack asset and 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. Gulf War and the 1990s: During the spring of 1990, 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. In 1990, VMAQ-4 received the "Outstanding Unit Award" from the Association of Old Crows. 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. Recent History: In 2005, VMAQ-4 deployed to Al Asad Airbase, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After a successful deployment, the squadron returned to Cherry Point in July and supported the fall WTI course in Yuma, AZ. In 2006, VMAQ-4 conducted a DEFTAC exercise in MCAS Yuma and later that year supported Exercise RED FLAG 06-02B. In January 2007, VMAQ-4 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni from January to April where they conducted DEFTAC and HARM exercises at Kadena AFB in Okinawa and participated in Operation FOAL EAGLE. VMAQ-4 returned from deployment in April 2007. In August 2007, VMAQ-4 conducted a TACDEMO exercise at MCAS Yuma in order to prove the effectiveness of the integration of the EA-6B and the LITENING Targeting Pod. Later that fall, a VMAQ-4 detachment augmented WTI 1-08 in MCAS Yuma. During December 2007, VMAQ-4 deployed to MCAS Yuma in support of Exercise DESERT TALON 01-08. Upon return to MCAS Cherry Point, the squadron spent the remainder of 2007 preparing for the upcoming deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom in January 2008. In January 2008, VMAQ-4 deployed to Al Asad Airbase for a six-month deployment in support of OIF 06-08. In February 2013, VMAQ-4 deployed to Iwakuni Air Base in Iwakuni Japan. In August 2015, VMAQ-4 deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. From here they supported Operation Enduring Freedom, along with Operation Inherent Resolve which would start while they had been deployed there for only a few months. The squadron was decommissioned on June 2, 2017 at MCAS Cherry Point after 35 years service. source: wikipedia |
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