VMAQT-1

Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron 1 (VMAQT-1) is a United States Marine Corps electronic warfare training squadron consisting of EA-6B Prowler jets. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 (MAG-14) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). The VMAQT-1 logo is the Banshee, an Irish mythological figure foretelling death. Its motto is “Tairngreacht Bas,” Gaelic for “Death Foretold.”

Mission

Conduct airborne electronic warfare in support of Fleet Marine Force operations or other units as the Joint Force Commander directs. This includes suppressing enemy radar and surface-to-air missiles utilizing electronic jamming and High-Speed Anti-Radiation (HARM) missiles, as well as collecting tactical electronic intelligence in a passive electronic support role.

History

Korean War

Marine Composite Squadron One (VMC-1) was activated on September 15, 1952 at K-3 Air Base, South Korea, in support of Marine Air Control Group 2, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) conducting airborne early warning and electronic countermeasures in support of combat operations. On June 16, 1953, a United States Marine Corps AD-4 Skyraider from VMC-1 piloted by Major George H. Linnemeier and CWO Vernon S. Kramer shot down a Soviet-built Polikarpov Po-2 biplane, the only documented Skyraider air victory of the war. The squadron continued support in defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone through March 1955. Following the Korean War, VMC-1 was redeployed to MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and re-designated as VMCJ-1 after merging with Marine Photographic Squadron One (VMJ-1).