About this Unit
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 (VMAQ-1), originally established as VMC-1 in 1952, was a pioneering United States Marine Corps unit specializing in electronic warfare. The squadron participated in key conflicts, including the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing electronic countermeasures, radar jamming, and aerial reconnaissance. Redesignated as VMAQ-1 in 1977, the unit operated the EA-6A Intruder and later the EA-6B Prowler, supporting operations such as Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom. VMAQT-1 was formed in 2013 as the Marine Corps' training squadron for Prowler crews until the retirement of the aircraft and squadron deactivation in 2016.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: VMAQ-1 traces its lineage back to Marine Composite Squadron 1 (VMC-1), which was activated in 1952, but its predecessor units provided crucial electronic warfare and reconnaissance support during the Korean War.
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Korean War Pioneers: As VMC-1, the squadron was one of the first to conduct electronic countermeasures and aerial reconnaissance missions, jamming enemy radar and communications.
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Transition to Electronic Warfare: In 1955, the squadron transitioned from the Douglas AD-4N Skyraider to the EF-10B Skyknight, marking its commitment to electronic warfare (EW).
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Vietnam War Operations: VMCJ-1, later VMAQ-1, flew thousands of combat sorties in Vietnam, protecting strike packages by jamming North Vietnamese radar and surface-to-air missile threats.
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First to Fly the EA-6A Intruder: In the late 1960s, VMAQ-1 became the first Marine squadron to operate the EA-6A “Electric Intruder,” an advanced electronic warfare platform.
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Cold War Deployments: VMAQ-1 was deployed to Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean, supporting NATO and U.S. operations by providing electronic surveillance and jamming capabilities.
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Desert Storm Contributions: The squadron played a vital role during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, using EA-6B Prowlers to jam Iraqi air defenses and communications.
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VMAQT-1 Training Legacy: VMAQT-1 was established as the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for EA-6B Prowler aircrews, training pilots and electronic countermeasures officers for all Marine EA-6B units.
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Deactivation: As the Marine Corps transitioned away from the EA-6B Prowler, VMAQ-1 was deactivated in 2016 and VMAQT-1 in 2019, marking the end of an era in Marine Corps electronic warfare.
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Unit Motto and Emblem: VMAQ-1’s motto was “Banshees,” and its emblem featured a banshee spirit, reflecting the unit’s mission to haunt and disrupt enemy communications and radar.
