Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3

vmu-3 logo
Marine Aircraft Group 24
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

Who we are

Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 supports 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.

 

01

SATCOM Launch and Recovery

A U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A MUX/MALE assigned to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing...

02

VMU-3 and Partner Nations

Partner nation participants attend a brief hosted by Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing to...

03

Forward Arming and Refueling Point

A U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A MUX/MALE assigned to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3), Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing,...

04

VMU-3 Milestone Video

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...

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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...

VMU-3 Leaders

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

988 - Veterans/Military Crisis Line
Phone:  988 then press 1 or text 838255
Website:  https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Military OneSource
Phone:  (800) 342-9647
Website:  https://www.militaryonesource.mil/

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
Phone:  (808) 433-3707/3706
Website:  https://tripler.tricare.mil/Health-Services/Urgent-Emergency-Care/Emergency-Department

MAG-24 Chaplains
Phone:  (808) 375-3330

MAG-24 Military & Family Life Counselors
Phone:  (808) 437-1552/688-7221

SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION & RESPONSE
VICTIM ADVOCATES (SAPR-VA)
   

 

VMU-3 SAPR-VA
1stLt Courter

 

Sexual Assault and Support Line
Hawaii 24/7 808-216-0126

DOD Safe Helpline
1-877-995-5247

SAPR Resources

VMU-3 Unit Readiness Coordinator (URC)
1stLt Benjamin Butterfield
Office: 808-257-3248

VMU-3 Single Marine Program Representative
Office: 808-257-1180

How to report a PAC complaint

Chain of Command. The Chain of Command or Command designated personnel (EOC) is the primary and preferred channel to prevent and respond to complaints of PAC. Use of the chain of command to address PAC exemplifies trust in leadership to quickly and effectively address violations of our standards.

Equal Opportunity Coordinator (EOC). The EOC is an authorized source within the command to receive complaints on behalf of the commander. EOCs are appointed by their commander and are there if the immediate supervisor is not able to be used.

VMU-3 Equal Opportunity Coordinator
Capt Giron, Ezekiel 
Office: (808) 496-4422
NIPR: ezekiel.giron@usmc.mil

MAG-24 Equal Opportunity Advisor
SSgt Salcido, Crystal
Office: (808) 347-5678
NIPR: crystal.salcido@usmc.mil

Anonymous Reporting. Anonymous Reports may be communicated by several means, including but not limited to organizational hotlines or advice lines, electronic mail, or official telephone lines. Action taken will depend on the extent of the information provided by the complainants. Service members who file a complaint in-person cannot choose to remain anonymous.

 

CAPT Robert W. Peters III is a native of Boston, MA. He is an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, endorsed by the Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries to serve as a chaplain in the United States Navy.

CAPT Peters earned undergraduate degrees in Commercial Art Illustration from Oakwood University, in Huntsville Alabama and Communication Graphics from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He received a Master of Divinity from Andrews Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He became a Doctor of Strategic Leadership from Regent University, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

In March of 1992 CAPT Peters joined the United States Marine Corps. Over the next eight years he became a Naval Aviator. He was a helicopter pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162. He deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and participated in Operations Autumn Shelter, Balkan Calm, Silver Knight, and Operation Deliberate Forge.

In August of 2000 CAPT Peters joined the Navy to become a chaplain. Since, he has served as Command Chaplain with Command Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), Third Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego CA, 1st Battalion 1st Marines and 1st Marine Division Headquarters Battalion Chaplain, Camp Pendleton, CA. He is a graduate of the Naval War College, in Newport RI. He was an Instructor and Professional Development Deputy Director at the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in Columbia, South Carolina.  He served as the III Marine Expeditionary Force Deputy Chaplain, 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade Chaplain and III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group Chaplain, in Okinawa Japan. He was the Director, Chaplain Accessions Programs at Navy Recruiting Command in Millington TN. He currently serves as Wing Chaplain for 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa Japan.

CAPT Peters’ personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (Third Award), and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Fourth Award).

1st Marine Aircraft Wing