1st Marine Aircraft Wing > Subordinate Units > Marine Aircraft Group 24

The U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A MUX/MALE is unveiled during a ceremony for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, on Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Aug. 2, 2023. The MQ-9A is a remotely piloted aircraft capable of supporting a wide range of operations such as coastal and border surveillance, weapons tracking, embargo enforcement, humanitarian and disaster assistance, peacekeeping, and counter-narcotic operations. VMU-3 can support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force by providing multi-surveillance and reconnaissance, data gateway and relay capabilities, and enabling or conducting the detection and cross cueing of targets and facilitating their engagement during expeditionary, joint and combined operations. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo)

MQ-9A MUX/MALE Unveiling Ceremony

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Nicholas B. Law receives a Hawaiian feather Kahili during a ceremony for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3), Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Aug 2, 2023. The ceremony commemorated the squadron’s years of dedicated effort and work to reach Initial Operational Capability with the MQ-9A. VMU-3 can support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force by providing multi-surveillance and reconnaissance, data gateway and relay capabilities, and enabling or conducting the detection and cross cueing of targets and facilitating their engagement during expeditionary, joint and combined operations.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo)

VMU-3 Takes Off

U.S. Marine Corps Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, launches an MQ-9A on Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, June 21, 2023. VMU-3, safely and successfully test and fly its first MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft to meet the Naval Air Systems Command safety certification process. The Safe-For-Flight Operations Certification (SFFOC) is the final crucial milestone in VMU-3’s transition from the RQ-21A to the MQ-9A. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo).

VMU-3 MQ-9A Assembly

U.S. Marine Corps Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, begins the assembly phase of the MQ-9A Reapers, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, May 10, 2023. The MQ-9A is a remotely piloted aircraft capable of supporting a wide range of operations such as coastal and border surveillance, weapons tracking, embargo enforcement, humanitarian and disaster assistance, support of peacekeeping and counter-narcotic operations. VMU-3 supports the Marine Air-Ground Task Force by providing multi-surveillance and reconnaissance, data gateway and relay capabilities through an aerial layer, and enabling or conducting the detection and cross cueing or targets and facilitating their engagement during expeditionary, joint and combined operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo)

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MARINE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE SQUADRON 3

MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP 24,

BOX 63057

MCBH, KANEOHE BAY, HI 96863-3057

Support the MAGTF Commander by providing multi-sensor surveillance and reconnaissance, data gateway and relay capabilities through an aerial layer, enabling or conducting the detection and engagement of targets during expeditionary, joint, and combined operations.

The United States Marine Corps Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3 “Phantoms”), based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, flies the multi-role, attack and reconnaissance MQ-9A reaper. VMU-3 boasts a proud history of service to the Marine Corps through its history of flying Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, to include the RQ-7 “Shadow” and RQ-21A “Blackjack.” The squadron was activated on September 12, 2008, at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty-Nine Palms, California as part of the Marine Air Control Group-38, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force. In June 2014, VMU-3 joined Marine Aircraft Group-24 on Marine Corps Air Station Hawaii, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. In 2018, VMU-3 began RQ-21A flight operations, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in the Pacific Area of Operations, and Marine Expeditionary Unit-31 with Group 3 Vertical-BAT UAS operations. In June 2023, VMU-3 began initial operations capability with MQ-9A Reaper operations, adapting to the paradigm shift in global threats by harnessing innovation in advanced UAS platforms in accordance with the Commandant’s Force Design 2030.

SDO CELL: (808)375-7062

Suicide Prevention Resources:

988 - Veterans/Military Crisis Line

Phone: 988 then press 1 or text 838255

Website: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

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Phone: (800) 342-9647

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Marine Corps Base Hawaii- Community Counseling Program

Phone: (808) 257-7780/8803

Website: https://hawaii.usmc-mccs.org/marine-family-support/prevention-and-counseling/community-counseling

Tripler Army Medical Center - Emergency Room