VMGR-234

Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234
VMGR-234 Insignia courtesy of www.military-graphics.com
Active	May 1, 1942 - March 20, 1946 June 1, 1947 - present
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Cargo Transport / Aerial refueling
Role	Assault support
Part of	Marine Aircraft Group 41 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth
Nickname(s)	"Rangers" "Bears" (Vietnam Era)
Tail Code	QH
Engagements	World War II Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	LtCol Charles K. Martin

Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234) is a reserve United States Marine Corps KC-130J squadron. They are a part of Marine Aircraft Group 41 (MAG-41), 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (4th MAW) and provide both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aerial refueling capabilities to support Marine Forces Reserve air operations in addition to assault air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies. The squadron, known as the "Rangers" is stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.

Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 234 (VMSB-234) was activated at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on May 1, 1942. The squadron departed for Espiritu Santo in December 1942 and began their first combat tour as part of the Cactus Air Force on Guadalcanal on January 28, 1943. Their second stint on Guadalcanal began on April 15, 1943. During this time they did patrol duties in the Fiji Islands and also provided close air support in New Georgia. They moved to Munda and began operating from there on October 1943 concentrating their attacks in the vicinity of Bougainville. In November 1943 the squadron had moved to Efate and from there they returned to the United States.

They relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California in November 1943 and were redesignated Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 234 (VMTB-234) on October 14, 1944. Their name was again changed this time to VMTB(CVS)-234 after which they deployed as part of Marine Carrier Group 3 on board the USS Vella Gulf (CVE-111). They were paired with VMF-513 during their deployment but never saw combat as the war ended. The squadron returned to California in November 1945 and was deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro on March 20, 1946.