VMR-1
Encyclopedia
Marine Transport Squadron 1 is a light transport aircraft squadron of the United States Marine Corps
. Also known as the "Roadrunners", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
and falls under Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron
(H&HS). In addition to its military search and rescue duties, VMR-1 also serves the local community with its medical evacuation and search and rescue capabilities.
approved the purchase of a tract of land in the vicinity of the Neuse River
in Craven County, North Carolina
. On March 18, 1942, Colonel T. J. Cushman initiated flight operations at Cherry Point when he made the first aircraft landing at Cunningham Field. This was the real beginning of MCAS Cherry Point's flight operations and a very important moment in the development of SOES.
During January 1943, Aircraft Engineering Squadron 46 (AES-46) was commissioned. With over 1000 Marines, AES-46 was the largest aviation squadron in the Marine Corps and performed a myriad of airfield support operations. Among its assigned missions, AES-46 was responsible for Air Traffic Control
, services to visiting aircraft, station communications, ordnance related activities, and care of the base magazine areas. Other support divisions manned by AES-46 Marines included airfield operations; crash, fire, and recovery; and station photo lab.
On October 1, 1951, the various responsibilities of AES-46 were redistributed between Station Operations Squadron (SOS-2) and Station Airfield Engineering Squadron (SAES-2). SOS-2 assumed the responsibilities for station operations, communications, crash crew, and photo lab; while SAES-2 Marines manned the engineering, rifle range, and ordnance sections. On February 24, 1954, Station Operations and Engineering Squadron was activated and assumed most of the special and technical activities originally performed by AES-46.
During 1979, SOES relinquished many of the duties previously assigned to itself and the former AES-46 to become responsible primarily for the operation and maintenance of its assigned aircraft. SOES was redesignated as Marine Transport Squadron One (VMR-1) in 1997, and remains a unique Marine Corps asset that operates two C-9B Skytrains, two UC-35D Cessna Encores, and three HH-46D Seaknight helicopters. The squadron operates its C-9B and UC-35 aircraft in a myriad of missions dealing with cargo and troop movement, in addition to the transportation of military and civilian dignitaries. Affectionately referred to operationally as “Pedro”, the HH-46D is primarily used for Search and Rescue (SAR) missions by MCAS Cherry Point and the United States Coast Guard
when extended searches in eastern North Carolina are required. This helicopter will be replaced in late 2007 by an updated HH-46E version that incorporates enhanced capabilities and performance characteristics.
In February 1990, VMR-1 became the first Marine aviation unit to fly to the former Soviet Union when the squadron transported the United States Marine Corps Band to Moscow
. From August 1990 through 1991, the squadron flew nearly 2000 hours moving troops and cargo in and out of the Middle East
in direct support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
. After Hurricane Floyd in September 1999, “Pedro” rescued 399 people directly threatened by the floods that followed and provided logistical support with emergency delivery of water and food supplies to volunteer workers and isolated communities throughout Eastern North Carolina.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. Also known as the "Roadrunners", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
and falls under Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron
A Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron, abbreviated as H&HS or HQHQSQDN, is the headquarters entity for a United States Marine Corps aviation facility.-Organization:...
(H&HS). In addition to its military search and rescue duties, VMR-1 also serves the local community with its medical evacuation and search and rescue capabilities.
Mission
Provide Search and Rescue support to MCAS Cherry Point based aircraft as well as short and medium range rapid response/high speed multipurpose light transport of key personnel and critical logistics support to DoD. The squadron also provides wartime movement of high priority passengers and cargo with time, place, or mission-sensitive requirements flown in support of Department of Defense (DoD)-directed wartime operations and other critical Combatant Commander required worldwide wartime commitments.History
Station Operations and Engineering Squadron (SOES), Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina was conceived on July 16, 1941 when the United States CongressUnited States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
approved the purchase of a tract of land in the vicinity of the Neuse River
Neuse River
The Neuse River is a river rising in the Piedmont of North Carolina and emptying into Pamlico Sound below New Bern. Its total length is approximately , making it the longest river entirely contained in North Carolina. The Trent River joins it at New Bern. Its drainage basin, measuring in area,...
in Craven County, North Carolina
Craven County, North Carolina
Craven County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The estimated population in 2006 was 94,875. Its county seat is New Bern.Craven County is part of the New Bern, North Carolina, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. On March 18, 1942, Colonel T. J. Cushman initiated flight operations at Cherry Point when he made the first aircraft landing at Cunningham Field. This was the real beginning of MCAS Cherry Point's flight operations and a very important moment in the development of SOES.
During January 1943, Aircraft Engineering Squadron 46 (AES-46) was commissioned. With over 1000 Marines, AES-46 was the largest aviation squadron in the Marine Corps and performed a myriad of airfield support operations. Among its assigned missions, AES-46 was responsible for Air Traffic Control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
, services to visiting aircraft, station communications, ordnance related activities, and care of the base magazine areas. Other support divisions manned by AES-46 Marines included airfield operations; crash, fire, and recovery; and station photo lab.
On October 1, 1951, the various responsibilities of AES-46 were redistributed between Station Operations Squadron (SOS-2) and Station Airfield Engineering Squadron (SAES-2). SOS-2 assumed the responsibilities for station operations, communications, crash crew, and photo lab; while SAES-2 Marines manned the engineering, rifle range, and ordnance sections. On February 24, 1954, Station Operations and Engineering Squadron was activated and assumed most of the special and technical activities originally performed by AES-46.
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
when extended searches in eastern North Carolina are required. This helicopter will be replaced in late 2007 by an updated HH-46E version that incorporates enhanced capabilities and performance characteristics.
In February 1990, VMR-1 became the first Marine aviation unit to fly to the former Soviet Union when the squadron transported the United States Marine Corps Band to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. From August 1990 through 1991, the squadron flew nearly 2000 hours moving troops and cargo in and out of the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
in direct support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. After Hurricane Floyd in September 1999, “Pedro” rescued 399 people directly threatened by the floods that followed and provided logistical support with emergency delivery of water and food supplies to volunteer workers and isolated communities throughout Eastern North Carolina.
Unit awards
- Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with four bronze stars
- Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with operational device
- National Defense Service Streamer with two bronze stars.
- Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award in 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006
- Marine Corps Commandant's Aviation Efficiency Trophy - 1994
- Commandant of the Marine Corps Certificate of Commendation - 2000
- Joint Operational Support Airlift Center (JOSAC) Unit of the Year (Large Jet Category) - 2000, 2002
Aircraft
VMR-1 has the following aircraft:- 1 - C-20G Gulfstream IVGulfstream IVThe Gulfstream IV and derivatives are a family of twin-jet aircraft, mainly for private or business use. The aircraft was designed and built by Gulfstream Aerospace, a General Dynamics company based in Savannah, Georgia, United States from 1985 until 2003.-Design and development:Gulfstream, in...
- 2 - C-9B Skytrain II
- 11 - C-12B/F HuronC-12 HuronThe C-12 Huron is the military designation for a series of twin-engine turboprop aircraft based on the Beechcraft Super King Air and Beechcraft 1900. C-12 variants are used by the United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps...
- 11 - UC-35C/D Citation Ultra/Encore
- 5 - HH-46E
See also
- List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
- United States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps Aviation is the air component of the United States Marine Corps. Marine aviation has a very different mission and operation than its ground counterpart, and thus, has many of its own histories, traditions, terms, and procedures....