VMU-3

VMU-3, formally known as Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3, is an active United States Marine Corps aviation unit rather than a commercial consumer brand. The squadron is nicknamed the Phantoms and operates within Marine Aircraft Group 24 of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Its current base is Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and its principal operational role is to provide aerial surveillance and multi-sensor reconnaissance for the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The squadron was activated on 12 September 2008 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. It was created as the Marine Corps' third unmanned aerial vehicle unit, with personnel transferred from VMU-1 and VMU-2 forming the initial foundation. VMU-3 initially operated the RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aircraft. Its first recorded flight took place on 22 September 2008, shortly after activation. During its first years, the squadron supported exercises and training events across the southwestern United States, including Steel Knight, Mojave Viper, and the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. VMU-3 began operational deployments in January 2010, sending detachments to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of combat operations. During that period it operated RQ-7 Shadow and ScanEagle aircraft and supported International Security Assistance Force activities, including operations connected with the seizure of Marjah in Afghanistan. In 2011, the squadron deployed again for Operation Enduring Freedom and became an early Marine unmanned aviation unit to integrate a laser designator with the RQ-7B. This capability enabled the aircraft to mark targets for ground operations. The deployment ended in November 2011 after the squadron had accumulated substantial flight activity and performed target-designation missions. A further Afghanistan deployment ran from October 2012 through May 2013. VMU-3 operated detachments at several locations in Helmand Province and reportedly flew more than 2,300 sorties totaling over 21,000 flight hours. During this deployment, the unit also supported operations involving the Kaman K-MAX unmanned cargo-resupply helicopter, extending its activity beyond surveillance and reconnaissance. In 2014, VMU-3 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 24 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron's contemporary mission is to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander through multi-sensor reconnaissance and surveillance and to facilitate target destruction from unmanned aerial platforms during expeditionary, joint, and combined operations. It also supports III Marine Expeditionary Force activities and training, including Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition work associated with Mojave Viper in coordination with VMU-1. The squadron has transitioned to operating the MQ-9A Reaper, reflecting the Marine Corps' move from smaller tactical unmanned aircraft toward longer-endurance remotely piloted aviation capabilities. VMU-3 received the 2011 Commandant's Aviation Trophy for outstanding performance by a Marine aviation squadron.

VMU-3 was commissioned as Marine Unmanned Vehicle Squadron 3 on 12 September 2008 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. At activation it was assigned under Marine Air Control Group 38 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron was established as the Marine Corps' third unmanned aerial vehicle unit. Its initial personnel base came partly from VMU-1 and VMU-2, whose unmanned aircraft operators were reassigned to form the new organization. The unit's first flight occurred on 22 September 2008 using an RQ-7 Shadow. During 2008 and 2009, VMU-3 supported training and exercises throughout the southwestern United States. Named activities included Steel Knight, Mojave Viper, and the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. These assignments established the squadron's role in providing reconnaissance, surveillance, and target-acquisition information to ground and aviation organizations during realistic training events. In January 2010, VMU-3 began its first real-world overseas deployments, sending detachments to Iraq and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, the squadron operated in support of the International Security Assistance Force and was associated with Marine Aircraft Group 40 and the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Its aircraft included the RQ-7 Shadow and ScanEagle. The unit supported combat operations, including activity connected with the seizure of Marjah. Its performance during overseas operations contributed to the award of the Commandant's Aviation Trophy in 2011. VMU-3 deployed again in April 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11.1–11.2. This deployment included support to multiple infantry companies and the integration of a laser designator onto the RQ-7B. The modification allowed the unmanned aircraft to mark targets for engagement by other forces. The squadron returned on 11 November 2011 after recording extensive flight hours and performing numerous laser-designation missions. From October 2012 to May 2013, VMU-3 conducted another Afghanistan deployment. Its detachments operated from multiple sites in Helmand Province, flying more than 2,300 sorties and more than 21,000 flight hours according to the cited unit history. The squadron also supported the Kaman K-MAX unmanned cargo helicopter, which was used for aerial resupply. This period illustrated the unit's expanding role from tactical observation toward a broader unmanned aviation support function. In 2014, VMU-3 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii. It subsequently became part of Marine Aircraft Group 24 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. From Hawaii, the squadron supports the III Marine Expeditionary Force and conducts or supports reconnaissance, surveillance, and target-acquisition activity for Marine expeditionary, joint, and combined operations. It also works with VMU-1 in support of Mojave Viper training at Twentynine Palms. The squadron's current aircraft is the MQ-9A Reaper, a transition that represents a move toward a larger and longer-endurance unmanned aircraft platform. VMU-3's stated mission is to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by conducting multi-sensor reconnaissance and surveillance and facilitating the destruction of targets from unmanned aerial platforms.

• 2014

  Relocation to Hawaii

  [2]VMU-3 official unit page1stmaw.marines.mil

  VMU-3 moved to Kaneohe Bay and joined Marine Aircraft Group 24 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

• 2011

  Commandant's Aviation Trophy

  [1]VMU-3en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron received the Commandant's Aviation Trophy for outstanding performance.

• 2011

  RQ-7B laser-designator integration

  [1]VMU-3en.wikipedia.org

  VMU-3 integrated a laser-designation capability with the RQ-7B during its Afghanistan deployment.

• 2010

  First real-world deployments

  [1]VMU-3en.wikipedia.org

  VMU-3 sent detachments to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of combat operations.

• 2008

  Squadron commissioned

  [1]VMU-3en.wikipedia.org

  VMU-3 was commissioned on 12 September at Twentynine Palms, California.

• 2008

  First RQ-7 Shadow flight

  [1]VMU-3en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron flew its first RQ-7 Shadow on 22 September.

A Marine Corps expeditionary unmanned aviation squadron positioned to deliver persistent aerial reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and operational support for Marine Air-Ground Task Forces and associated joint or combined forces.

• Unmanned aerial vehicle

  MQ-9A Reaper

  The MQ-9A Reaper is VMU-3's current unmanned aircraft platform. Within the squadron's mission, it supports persistent aerial surveillance, multi-sensor reconnaissance, target acquisition, and related expeditionary operations for Marine forces and partner formations.

• Tactical unmanned aerial vehicle · 2008

  RQ-7 Shadow

  The RQ-7 Shadow was VMU-3's initial aircraft and flew the squadron's first mission in September 2008. It supported training, reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat deployments, including the later integration of a laser-designation capability with the RQ-7B variant.

• Small unmanned aerial vehicle

  ScanEagle

  ScanEagle aircraft were operated by VMU-3 during early overseas deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, providing a smaller unmanned platform for reconnaissance and surveillance support.

• Unmanned cargo helicopter

  Kaman K-MAX

  During the 2012–2013 Afghanistan deployment, VMU-3 was also responsible for flying the Kaman K-MAX unmanned cargo-resupply helicopter, supporting the movement of supplies by air.

• 2012Helmand Province deployment

  Afghanistan

  From October 2012 through May 2013, VMU-3 operated detachments across Helmand Province and also supported K-MAX unmanned cargo resupply.

  Outcome. The deployment generated more than 2,300 sorties and over 21,000 flight hours according to the cited history.

  Source
• 2011Operation Enduring Freedom 11.1–11.2

  Afghanistan

  VMU-3 supported multiple infantry companies and used an RQ-7B equipped with a laser designator.

  Outcome. The squadron returned on 11 November after extensive flight operations and target-designation activity.

  Source
• 2010Iraq and Afghanistan deployment

  Iraq · Afghanistan

  VMU-3 deployed detachments in support of International Security Assistance Force and Marine combat operations, operating RQ-7 Shadow and ScanEagle aircraft.

  Outcome. The squadron supported combat operations, including activity associated with the seizure of Marjah.

  Source
• 2008Southwestern United States training exercises

  United States

  After activation, VMU-3 supported exercises and training events including Steel Knight, Mojave Viper, and the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course.

  Outcome. The activities established the squadron's operational role in reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

  Source
• Mojave Viper training support

  United States

  VMU-3 supports Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition activities for units participating in Mojave Viper, working with VMU-1.

  Outcome. The support provides unmanned aerial reconnaissance and surveillance during recurring Marine Corps training.

  Source

• 2014

  Relocation and reassignment to HawaiiStrategy

  Background

  VMU-3 had originally been established at Twentynine Palms and operated under different Marine aviation commands during its early years.

  Action taken

  The squadron relocated to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and became subordinate to Marine Aircraft Group 24 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

  Aftermath

  The relocation placed VMU-3 closer to its continuing role in supporting III Marine Expeditionary Force operations and training.

  Source

• Transition to MQ-9A Reaper operationsGeneration change

  Background

  VMU-3's early history centered on the RQ-7 Shadow and ScanEagle, while its current mission requires longer-endurance unmanned surveillance capability.

  Action taken

  The squadron now operates the MQ-9A Reaper.

  Aftermath

  The transition aligns the squadron with a larger unmanned aircraft platform for persistent reconnaissance, surveillance, and target-acquisition missions.

  Source

1. 1VMU-3en.wikipedia.org
2. 2VMU-3 official unit page1stmaw.marines.mil