Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 [VMAQ-2]
In the 1940s, the Marine Aviation Wing Headquarters Squadron commissioned an Airborne Early Warning and Electronic Countermeasures section to conduct limited electronic support of Marine tactical aircraft. On 15 September 1952, the first electronic warfare composite squadron in Marine Corps aviation, VMC-2, was commissioned at Cherry Point, North Carolina. Three years later, on December 1, 1955, Marine Photographic Squadron 2 (VMJ-2) was merged with VMC-2 and the squadron was re-designated VMCJ-2. In the next few years, two more VMCJ squadrons were also commissioned.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, VMCJ squadrons conducted their mission with a succession of early versions of electronic warfare aircraft, the most famous being the AD-5Q Skyraider and the EF-10B Skyknight. In the 1960s the squadrons improved their electronic jamming capabilities when it received the EA-6A Electric Intruder, the forerunner to the present-day Prowler. The Electric Intruders supported Marine tactical aircraft flying missions in Vietnam, jamming hostile surface to air sites to protect the fighter-bombers making runs on the enemy's war-making capabilities.
However, the EA-6A was only a two-seat aircraft, and a more effective platform was necessary to conduct tactical electronic warfare missions in a growing age of technology. In 1973, the first Grumman EA-6B Prowler arrived on the scene. Designed for the Navy as a carrier-borne aircraft, the four-seat EA-6B boasted the most advanced computer system and electronic suite at the time. Four years later, the Marine Corps began to acquire the Prowler. In the meantime, the VMCJ squadrons were reorganized once again in July of 1975, and one of the squadrons to emerge was VMAQ-2, the Marine Corps' first true tactical electronic warfare squadron. VMAQ-2 was organized into three 6-8 plane detachments, X-ray, Yankee, and Zulu, which rotated through deployments around the world.
From 1975 through the present, VMAQ-2 deployed detachments of EA-6 aircraft on a continuous basis in support of Marine Forces in the Western Pacific and in support of Fleet Commanders on the USS Midway, USS Saratoga, USS Nimitz, and the USS America. In 1986, Detachment Yankee participated in raids against Libya from the USS America. In 1991, VMAQ-2 deployed 12 Prowlers to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, during which the squadron flew nearly 500 combat sorties in a six week period in a suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) role.
In May of 1992, VMAQ-2 Detachment X-ray deployed to Iwakuni, Japan. On July 1, 1992, VMAQ-2 was split into three separate squadrons, and a fourth active duty squadron was commissioned from the reserves.
VMAQ-2 deployed in March 1996 to Aviano, Italy where it provided support of Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR.
On February 3, 1998, a Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler from VMAQ-2 on a low-level training mission in the Italian Alps severed the cable of a ski gondola near Cavalese, Italy, killing all 20 occupants.
VMAQ again deployed to Aviano, Italy from February to July 1999 where it provided support to Operation ALLIED FORCE.
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) 2 was the last VMAQ squadron to be deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Jan. 23, 2018. VMAQ-2 had their deactivation ceremony on March 8, 2019, after 44 years of faithful service. VMAQ-2 is assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
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