Photo By Sgt. Neysa Huertas Quinones | Logan, age 3, follows his father during a homecoming ceremony at Marine Corps Air...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C.- Family members gathered anxiously at the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 hangar, looking out onto the flight line for the first sight of their returning loved ones after a deployment to Iwakuni, Japan.
More than 200 Marines with VMAQ-3 and augments from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 returned Feb. 11 and 16, from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, where they were deployed in support of the United States Pacific Command combatant commander. Some of the exercises the squadron participated in during the deployment included, exercises Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Pacific Thunder, Beverly Bulldog/Vigilant Ace, and Yama Sakura 69. The squadron also participated in the Yokota Air Show and the 2015 Friendship Festival, designed to show and reinforce the bond between the host nation and the United States Armed Forces.
According to Maj. Mark Gombo, the executive officer of VMAQ-3, the Marines completed more than 10,500 maintenance hours, which exceeded the Chief of Naval Operations readiness rates and resulted in more than 350 sorties and 800 mishap-free flight hours during the deployment.
The squadron was challenged with being prepared to execute anywhere, anytime, and against any threat with the United States Pacific Command area of responsibility. The Moondogs conducted MAGTF and joint training trough sponsored exercises designed to increase proficiency and maintain a high state of readiness. PACOM covers the largest geographic area of any of the Combatant Commands in the Marine Corps.
Although the Unit Deployment Program is routine for many units in the Marine Corps, VMAQs have been extensively deployed to the United States Central Command area of responsibility throughout the past 10 years; it was the conclusion of major combat operations in Afghanistan that has facilitated the EA-6B squadrons to once again support the UDP to the Pacific Theater.
VMAQ squadrons supporting UDPs are the only dedicated airborne electronic attack contributors to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force that provides flexible and rapidly deployable electronic warfare capabilities.
EA-6B Prowler aircrew also provide electronic warfare expertise while deployed as directed by the MAGTF Commander.
| Date Taken: | 02.22.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2016 06:33 |
| Story ID: | 189722 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 155 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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