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US Marine Corps - Marine Aerial Refueler
Transport Squadron 352 VMGR-352 'Raiders' |
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| 06/24 | ||||||
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 Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - May 2024  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - April 2024  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - April 2024  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - April 2024  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) during Exercise Arctic Edge at Eielson AFB, Alaska - February 2024  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) during Exercise Arctic Edge at Eielson AFB, Alaska - February 2024  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - February 2024  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - February 2024  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - February 2024  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Fort Greely, Alaska - February 2024  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at RAAF Base Scherger, Queensland, Australia - July 2023  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Subic Bay Airport, Philippines - July 2023  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over Djibouti - May 2023  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over Djibouti - May 2023  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over Djibouti - May 2023  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over Djibouti - May 2023  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over Djibouti - April 2023  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over Djibouti - April 2023  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Travis AFB, California - January 2023  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - November 2022  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - September 2022  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - August 2022  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Nellis AFB, Nevada - May 2022  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Nellis AFB, Nevada - May 2022  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - April 2022  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - April 2022  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti - February 2022  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Nellis AFB, Nevada - October 2021  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - August 2021  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - June 2021  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Yuma Auxilary Landing Field, Arizona - February 2021  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia - February 2021  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - Kuwait - June 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - Kuwait - June 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - Kuwait - June 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - Kuwait - June 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Yuma Auxilary Landing Field, Arizona - June 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Yuma Auxilary Landing Field, Arizona - June 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Yuma Auxilary Landing Field, Arizona - June 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Yuma Auxilary Landing Field, Arizona - June 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Yuma Auxilary Landing Field, Arizona - June 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Camp Pendleton, California - May 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - March 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - March 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - March 2020  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - February 2019  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - February 2019  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - February 2019  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - September 2018  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - Exercise Summer Fury - Yuma, Arizona - July 2018  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at NAF El Centro, California - June 2018  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - 75th squadron anniversary - over California - March 2018  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - 75th squadron anniversary - over California - March 2018  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - 75th squadron anniversary - over California - March 2018  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - 75th squadron anniversary - over California - March 2018  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - 75th squadron anniversary - over California - March 2018  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - 75th squadron anniversary - over California - March 2018  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - December 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Bicycle Lake Army Airfield, Fort Irwin, California - November 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - October 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - Marine Week Detroit, Michigan - September 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352 and VMGR-234, QH) near NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - August 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352 and VMGR-234, QH) near NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - August 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) near NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - August 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) near NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - August 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - August 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - August 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over Jordan - May 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - refueling operations over Jordan - May 2017  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) refueling F/A-18D Hornets - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - new aircraft delivery - August 2016  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - November 2015  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - Fort Irwin National Training Center, California - October 2015  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - CENTCOM AOR - July 2015  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - CENTCOM AOR - July 2015  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - May 2015  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - May 2015  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) during MCAS Miramar Air Show - October 2014  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) - Yuma, Arizona - July 2014  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - January 2014  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS Miramar, California - January 2014  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti - August 2013  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over California - March 2013  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) refuels a CH-53E Super Stallion over California - March 2013  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over California - March 2013  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) off California - March 2013  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over California - April 2012  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) at Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan - March 2011  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) in "Harvest Hawk" configuration with 4 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles loaded - Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan - March 2011 Harvest Hawk program = Harvest Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit (HAWK) Plus (HH+): The aircraft modifications were part of the Marine Corps KC-130J Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) / Weapons Mission Kit program. The program improved the existing Marine Corp KC-130J Harvest HAWK system by integrating the MX-20 electro-optical/infra-red multi-sensor imaging system and adding AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missile capability.  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over California - February 2007  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over California - February 2007  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over California - February 2007  Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules (VMGR-352) over California - February 2007  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) during Exercise Sentry Eagle - Oregon - August 2005  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules, 240 (VMGR-352) during Operation Enduring Freedom - February 2002  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) during Operation Enduring Freedom - February 2002  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) during Operation Enduring Freedom - February 2002  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) during Operation Enduring Freedom - February 2002  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) during Operation Enduring Freedom - February 2002  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) during Operation Enduring Freedom - February 2002  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) during Operation Enduring Freedom - November 2001  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) at Naval Air Facility Washington (Andrews), Maryland - April 1993  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) at MCAS El Toro, California - January 1993  Lockheed KC-130F Hercules (VMGR-352) refueling an S-3A Viking (VS-38) over California - March 1989  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) refuels two F/A-18A Hornets (VMFA-323) over California - July 1986  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) - June 1984  Lockheed KC-130R Hercules (VMGR-352) at NAS Cubi Point, Philippines - September 1981  Lockheed KC-130F Hercules (VMGR-352) refuels an RF-4B Phantom II (VMCJ-3) - circa 1970  Lockheed KC-130F Hercules (VMGR-352) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - 1962  R5D-3 Skymaster (VMR-352) at MCAS El Toro, California - August 1957 |
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| history | ||||||
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Since its formation as Marine Utility Squadron 352 (VMJ-352) at MCAS
Cherry Point, North Carolina on 1 April 1943 to its current
designation as Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 at MCAS
Miramar, California, the "Raiders" have an illustrious history
supporting the Fleet Marine Forces worldwide. The squadron was
originally assigned the Douglas R4D Skytrain aircraft, which it
retained until its redesignation as Marine Transport Squadron 352
(VMR-352) in June 1944. The squadron began receiving the four-engine
Douglas R5D Skymaster and moved to MCAS Ewa, Hawaii in February
1945, where it remained until 1949. Based in Hawaii, the squadron
conducted training and provided operational support in the Pacific
Theater and was assigned to the Commander of Military Air Transport
Service in support of the Berlin Airlift in 1948-1949. After moving to MCAS El Toro, California in December 1949, the squadron was called upon to support operations associated with the Korean conflict. For the remainder of the 1950s, the unit once more conducted peacetime training and provided worldwide support to the Fleet Marine Forces. In March 1961, the squadron's mission was extended to include aerial refueling with the arrival of the KC-130 Hercules. The squadron was redesignated as Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 (VMGR-352). The squadron conducted its first TRANSPAC operation in January 1962, moving 18 F-8U's of VMF-451 from MCAS El Toro to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. The Raiders' rapid response capability and versatile aircraft were called upon during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and again during the Dominican Republic Crisis in 1965. In June 1965, VMGR-352 deployed elements of the squadron to support combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam, and continued to do so until October 1972. From 1970 to 1980, VMGR-352 primarily supported TRANSPAC movements, deploying seven months of the year and operating between MCAS El Toro and MCAS Iwakuni. By the late 1980s, the squadron expanded its tactical role with its integration into Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU (SOC)) operations. From August 1990 to March 1991, a seven-plane detachment from the squadron, VMGR-352 (FWD) was ordered to the Persian Gulf in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During the seven-month period, VMGR-352 (FWD) flew 1,144 combat sorties and over 2,500 combat flight hours, transported over 10 million pounds of cargo, 8,578 combat troops, and dispensed over 29.1 million pounds of fuel to 4,866 receivers. The squadron supported various operations on the African continent in the 1990s. In December 1992, VMGR-352 deployed a detachment of eight KC-130s to Somalia and Kenya in support of Operation Restore Hope. This was the largest single deployment for the squadron in its history to that time. From March to June 1994, VMGR-352 sent another detachment of four aircraft to Africa as part of the 11th MEU (SOC) in support of Operation Continue Hope. During the period, the "Raiders" participated in Operation Distant Runner, providing for the safe evacuation of American citizens from Rwanda upon the outbreak of civil war. During February and March of 1998, VMGR-352 provided two aircraft to Kenya as part of Operation Noble Response, a United Nations humanitarian relief effort, and conducted aerial delivery of food supplies. In 1997 VMGR-352 launched three two-plane detachments in support of 11th, 13th, and 15th MEU (SOC)s for Operation Southern Watch in Kuwait and Operation Infinite Moonlight in Jordan. Mission tasking included fixed-wing and rotary-wing aerial refueling, troop aerial delivery, rapid ground refueling, and passenger/cargo flights. On 15 April 1999 VMGR-352 relocated from MCAS El Toro, CA to MCAS Miramar, CA, while continuing to support Operation Northern Watch. While there, the Raiders assisted the humanitarian effort after the tragic 1999 earthquakes in Turkey. In February 2000, VMGR-352 supported Operation Southern Watch, providing fixed-wing aerial refueling in defense of the Southern Iraq No-Fly Zone. Following events of September 11, 2001, the Raiders began their contributions to the Global War on Terror. VMGR-352 deployed four airplanes from October 2001 through January 2002, combining forces with VMGR-252 and VMGR-234 to play a pivotal role in the commencement of Operation Enduring Freedom. Missions included night assault landings to unimproved desert strips, helicopter aerial refueling, logistics, and extensive resupply of fuel. With contingencies looming on the horizon in Iraq, the Raiders focused the rest of 2002 on training, producing the first fully night-systems-qualified VMGR-352 crew on September 10, 2002. In January 2003 the Raiders once again deployed to the Middle East, joining forces with VMGR-234 and VMGR-452 to form Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron Deployed Forces Bahrain. The Raiders sent nine planes to the combined squadron, which fielded a total of twenty-four aircraft. The squadron supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch until 20 March 2003, when Operation Iraqi Freedom commenced. The Raiders played a key role in the success of I MEF's contribution to the defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime. In February 2004, the Raiders supplied a year-long detachment, ranging between two and four aircraft in strength, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. The conclusion of this detachment represented the longest continuous forward-deployed detachment in VMGR-352's history to that point. In January of 2005, with less than 96 hours notice, the Raiders deployed a two-plane detachment to Southeast Asia in support of Operation Unified Assistance, which provided desperately-needed humanitarian assistance to tsunami victims. The detachment operated out of Utapao, Thailand providing aerial delivery of critically needed supplies and cargo for tsunami victims. In March 2005, upon retrograde from Operation Iraqi Freedom II, the squadron began its full conversion to the KC-130J model. Despite numerous challenges and obstacles, the squadron transitioned its entire fleet to the new J model by Fiscal Year 2007. February 2006 marked the beginning of a new era, with the first combat deployment by VMGR-352 of three J model aircraft to support Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. Combined with three J model aircraft from VMGR-252, the Raiders once again commenced a continuous detachment of three aircraft operating from Al Asad, Iraq. In April 2009, the Raiders were once again called upon to support Operation Enduring Freedom, relocating two aircraft from Iraq to Kandahar, Afghanistan. One aircraft remained to support OIF until August 2009, marking three and a half years of continuously deployed support in Iraq. At year's end, VMGR-352 crews will be approaching four years of continuous deployment in support of combat operations in the Global War on Terror. VMGR-352 has received numerous awards throughout its history and proudly displays the following Battle Streamers: Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Navy Unit Commendation with 1 Bronze Star, Meritorious Unit Commendation with 1 Silver Star, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Service, World War II Victory, National Defense Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Korean Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Vietnam Service with 3 Silver Stars and 1 Bronze Star, Southwest Asia Service with 2 Bronze Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, and Global War on Terrorism Service. The squadron also has received two presentations of the Commandant's Aviation Efficiency Trophy as the premier squadron in the Marine Corps and 14 CNO Aviation Safety Awards. The squadron is the recipient of the 2010 Henry "Bud" Wildfang Award for Best Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron. The Raiders have aggressively sought to attain the maximum opportunity from every challenge placed in their path. The dedication and selfless devotion to duty by the Marines and sailors of VMGR-352 has demonstrated, time and again, their skill at supporting any mission assigned, regardless of location, difficulty, or brevity of notification. The numerous deployments undertaken during the Raiders' history has enabled the squadron to increase their military prowess while honing the support they provide to the Marine Corps and the Department of Defense. VMGR-352 has raised the standard of excellence for KC-130 squadrons throughout the Marine Corps. Through innovative management tools, forward reaching initiatives, and unparalleled mission success, the Raiders have proven themselves a truly superior squadron, a squadron worth emulating. A focused training program, an innovative approach to safety, a committed Maintenance Department, and a "Can Do" attitude by all Marines in VMGR-352 make this squadron eminently qualified to tackle any challenges the future may hold. source: USMC |
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