Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-THREE (VMAQ-3) was activated at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina on the first day of July, 1992. The new unit, which quickly took the title “Moon Dogs”, was formed out of VMAQ-2 detachment Z and initially equipped with six ICAP II EA-6Bs.
The new outfit’s initial deployment began in May 1993 as they made a six month trip to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan as part of the rotational Unit Deployment Program (UDP) under the 12th Marine Aircraft Group.
In 1994 the “Moon Dogs” were selected to make a carrier deployment and they joined Carrier Air Wing-ONE (CVW-1) onboard USS America (CV-66) for a Mediterranean cruise. They would be the last Marine EA-6B squadron to make a major carrier deployment.
A trip to Aviano, Italy followed in February 1997, now participating in flight over the former Yugoslavia as part of Operation Deliberate Guard.
Over the following two decades the “Moon Dogs” continued to cycle to global hot spots as needed by the National Command Authority. As with the other three Cherry Point-based EA-6B units, VMAQ-3 would typically spend twelve months at home and six months overseas. The “time home” wasn’t necessarily with their families however as the squadron was frequently called to exercises like “Red Flag” or to provide support for training at the Marine Aviation Weapon Training Squadron-ONE at MCAS Yuma. Through it all, VMAQ-3 provided highly professional Electronic Warfare support with their EA-6B Prowlers.
Combat operations dominated most overseas deployments as the squadron flew out of obscure locations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Turkey. While few outside the community really understood what they provided, the work conducted by squadrons like VMAQ-3 saved lives on the ground by dominating the electromagnetic spectrum and denying its use by our nation’s adversaries.
The “Moon Dogs”, now one of only two VMAQ squadron remaining, returned home to North Carolina from its final deployment in October, 2017 and started the path to deactivation, which officially occurred on 31 May 2018 following a 11 May ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point.
Moon Dog Deployments
May-Nov ‘93 |
Iwakuni JA |
UDP |
|
Aug ‘95-Feb ‘96 |
USS America |
ODF, ODE |
CVW-1 Med cruise |
Feb-Aug ‘97 |
Aviano IT |
ODG |
|
Sep ‘98-Mar ‘99 |
Iwakuni JA |
UDP |
|
Jan-Apr ‘01 |
PSAB SA |
OSW |
|
Nov ‘01-Feb ‘02 |
Incirlik TU |
ONW |
|
Jan-Jul ‘03 |
Iwakuni, JA |
UDP |
|
Jan-Aug ‘05 |
Bagram, AF |
OEF |
|
Jul ‘06-Jan ‘07 |
Al Asad, IZ |
OIF |
|
Apr-Oct ‘08 |
Al Asad, IZ |
OIF |
|
Jul ‘09-Feb ‘10 |
Al Asad, IZ |
OIF |
|
Oct ‘10-May ‘11 |
Bagram, AF |
OEF |
|
Sep ‘12-Apr ‘13 |
Bagram, AF |
OEF |
|
Jan-Feb ‘14 |
Bagram AF |
OEF |
|
Feb-Aug ‘14 |
Al Udied QA |
|
|
Aug ‘15-Feb ‘16 |
Iwakuni, JA |
UDP |
|
Apr-Oct ‘17 |
Incirlik TU |
OIR |
|
ODE: Operation Decisive Edge
ODF: Operation Deny Flight
ODG: Operation Deliberate Guard
OEF: Operation Enduring Freedom
OIF: Operation Iraqi Freedom
OIR: Operation Inherent Resolve
OND: Operation New Dawn
ONW: Operation Northern Watch
OSW: Operation Southern Watch
UDP: Unit Deployment Program
General Royal Moore Award winner (Top Marine EA-6B Squadron)
2001, 2007, 2014, 2015.
Commanding Officers
LtCol Joe Burgin |
Jul 1992-Apr 1994 |
LtCol JJ Cuff |
Apr 1994-Apr 1996 |
LtCol Bob Lawler |
Apr 1996-Feb 1997 |
LtCol “Muddy” Watters |
Feb 1997-Feb 1998 |
LtCol Gordy Habbestad |
Feb 1998-Aug 1999 |
LtCol RA Wiedower |
Aug 1999-Jun 2001 |
LtCol WC Hall |
Jun 2001-Dec 2002 |
LtCol Steve Nitzschke |
Dec 2002-Jun 2004 |
LtCol TB Cutright |
Jun 2004-Dec 2005 |
LtCol M. Denney |
Dec 2005-Jun 2007 |
LtCol MR Grischkowsky |
Jun 2007-Dec 2008 |
LtCol DE Roberts |
Dec 2008-Jun 2010 |
LtCol KD Nothelfer |
Jun 2010-Sep 2011 |
LtCol MA Moore |
Sep 2010-Jun 2012 |
LtCol TD Cornstubble |
Jun 2012-Dec 2013 |
LtCol G Lambert |
Dec 2013-Jun 2015 |
LtCol DL Manka |
Jun 2015-Dec 2016 |
LtCol LAC Cobb |
Dec 2016-May 2018 |