| Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 | |
|---|---|
 VMGR-452 Insignia | |
| Active | 9 September 1988 – 2 December 2022 |
| 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 49 4th Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Stewart Air National Guard Base,New York |
| Nickname(s) | "Yankees" |
| Tail Code | NY |
| Engagements | Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom *2003 invasion of Iraq |
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 (VMGR-452) was a reserveUnited States Marine Corpscargo squadron that previously flew theLockheed Martin KC-130J. The squadron fell under the command ofMarine Aircraft Group 49 (MAG-49) and the4th Marine Aircraft Wing (4th MAW). The squadron, known as the "Yankees", was stationed atStewart Air National Guard Base,New York.
SupportFleet Marine Force commitments worldwide by providing both fixed-wing and rotary-wingaerial refueling capabilities in addition to assault air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
Following theSeptember 11, 2001 attacks, 62 reservists were activated in order to supportOperation Enduring Freedom on 28 January 2002. The activated reservists along with numerous active duty Marines from MAG-49 Detachment B were consolidated to create a Detachment A (Det A). This detachment would be part of the2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and would be accompanied by four VMGR-452 aircraft. They supported operations in theMediterranean,Horn of Africa, and theMiddle East. The primary mission was to support the22nd,24th, and26th Marine Expeditionary Units.
On 14 January 2003, the squadron was once again called up to supportOperation Iraqi Freedom. The remainder of the reserves were activated for this operation. Seven aircraft along with pilots, aircrew, and support Marines went toBahrain to join two other KC130 squadrons. These squadrons wereVMGR-234 andVMGR-352. The three squadrons would join to create the Hercules Air Group (HAG). While being a part of the HAG, VMGR-452 supportedOperation Southern Watch by doingaerial refueling for aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly zone. Once Operation Iraqi Freedom commenced, the squadron transported over 3 million pounds of cargo, distributed over 3.5 million pounds of fuel in aerial refueling, over 1 million pounds of fuel for Rapid Ground Refuelers (RGRs), transported over 3,000 pax, and flew 632 sorties consisting of 1371.0 hrs. VMGR-452 also contributed inmedical evacuations, and helped transport the seven prisoners-of-war out of harm's way.
On 2 December 2022, the squadron was deactivated in support of Force Design 2030.
On 10 July 2017, one of VMGR-452's KC-130T aircraft took off fromMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,North Carolina, and crashed later that afternoon inMississippi, killing all 16 personnel onboard.[1]
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theUnited States Marine Corps.| Leadership |
|  | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major commands | |||||
| Auxiliary | |||||
| Structure | |||||
| Personnel and training |
| ||||
| Uniforms and equipment | |||||
| History and traditions |
| ||||
