VMF-452 was commissioned at MCAS
Mojave, California. Known as the “Sky Raiders”, they flew the F4U Corsair,
fell under the command of Marine Carrier Group 5.
On 7. February 1945, the
squadron departed San Francisco on board the aircraft carrier CV-13 USS
Franklin. From there they sailed to Pearl Harbor and then moved west to join
up with Task Force 58 which was heading to support the invasion of Okinawa.
On 18. March they flew their first combat missions against airfields on
Kyūshū Island. The following day, the Franklin was attacked by a Japanese
Yokosuka D4Y Judy dive bomber. Both of its two 500-pound bombs stuck the
Franklin. 33 members of VMF-452 were killed in the ensuing devastation and
the squadron was no longer combat effective. They transferred to the USS
Bunker Hill and set sail for the United States.
Upon returning to the
California, the squadron was sent to MCAS El Centro to refit and rearm in
April 1945. They remained there until the end of the war.
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport
Squadron 452 (VMGR-452) is a reserve United States Marine Corps cargo
squadron that currently flies the Lockheed Martin KC-130J. The squadron
falls under the command of MAG-49 and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
Following the 11. September 2001 attacks, 62 reservists were activated in
order to support Operation 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 the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and would be
accompanied by four VMGR-452 aircraft. They supported operations in the
Mediterranean, Horn of Africa, and the Middle East.
On 14 January 2003, the squadron
was once again called up to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. The remainder
of the reserves were activated for this operation. Seven aircraft along with
pilots, aircrew, and support Marines went to Bahrain to join two other KC130
squadrons. These squadrons were VMGR-234 and VMGR-352. The three squadrons
would join to create the Hercules Air Group (HAG). While being a part of the
HAG, VMGR-452 supported Operation Southern Watch by doing aerial refueling
for aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly zone.
|