VMGR-152
| Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 | |
|---|---|
VMGR-152 Insignia
|
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| Active |
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| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Aerial Refuel / Cargo Transport |
| Role | Assault support |
| Part of |
Marine Aircraft Group 12 1st Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni |
| Nickname(s) | "Sumos" |
| Motto(s) | "Ichi Go Ni" |
| Tail Code | QD |
| Engagements |
World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LtCol Andrew J. Pushart |
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) provides aerial refueling service to support Fleet Marine Force (FMF) air operations; and provides assault air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies. The squadron, known as the "Sumos", flies the fixed-wing Lockheed Martin KC-130J aircraft. VMGR-152 is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Iwakuni, Japan and is part of Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW).
Provide aerial refueling service in support of Fleet Marine Force Air Operations and provide assault air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
VMGR-152 is capable of refueling helicopters, tilt-rotor and fixed-wing aircraft in support of tactical missions, training operations, or ferry flights. This is accomplished through the use of the two refueling pods mounted under the wings of its KC-130J aircraft, outboard of the engines. These pods trail a 93-foot hose attached to a stabilized paradrogue into which receiver aircraft plug.
Assault air transport is the squadron's secondary mission. VMGR-152 can deliver supplies and troops by airdrop, or through assault landings on unimproved airstrips both during the day as well as at night, using night-vision devices.
The squadron was activated as VMJ-253 in the Western Pacific on March 11, 1942. VMJ-253 pioneered Trans-oceanic transport in the Marine Corps during World War II. It also became the parent squadron for the joint air transport organization dubbed the South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command (SCAT). Lieutenant Colonel Perry K. Smith, USMC, became the first Commanding Officer of SCAT. By November 1942, VMJ-253 had supported operations on Guadalcanal and surrounding islands, logging thousands of flight hours.
While on Guadalcanal, VMJ-253 was the first combat transport squadron to land at Henderson Field, bringing Brigadier General Roy S. Geiger and his staff to take command of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Following the Japanese counterattack that forced the United States Navy to withdraw, VMJ-253 continued to re-supply fuel, ammunition, food, and medical supplies in support of the besieged ground troops. The squadron's Douglas R4Ds delivered supplies despite being fired upon by Japanese troops lurking near Henderson Field and marauding A6M Zeros in the skies. Until the end of 1942, it was the Marines of VMJ-253 and other SCAT units that solved the logistical problems of Marines and soldiers on Guadalcanal.
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Wikipedia