Conduct aerial, multisensor imagery reconnaissance to include aerial photographic, infrared, and side looking airborne radar reconnaissance in support of Fleet Marine Force operations.

VMFP-3 was activated on 1 July 1975 as part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California (USA). The squadron was deactivated on 1 July 1990 ( See AlMar 24-1990).

Photo and electronic reconnaissance had previously been conducted by three Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadrons (VMCJ-1, 2, 3) located at MCAS Iwakuni (Japan), MCAS Cherry Point, and MCAS El Toro, respectively. These squadrons, (each flying RF-4Bs and EA-6As) were consolidated into two squadrons- VMAQ-2 at MCAS Cherry Point operating all the EA-6s, and VMFP-3 operating all the RF-4Bs. Each squadron would deploy detachments to Iwakuni to fly missions previously flown by VMCJ-1.

Overseas detachments, in addition to supporting FMF operations, continued the 7th fleet support started by VMCJ-1 in 1974. RF-4Bs of VMFP-3 were permanently deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41) from 1975 to 1984. A six-plane detachment operated as part of Carrier Air Wing Five, although retaining their own tail code "RF".

In 1990 Marine tactical reconnaissance was taken over by the Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System carried by McDonnell Douglas F/A-18D Hornet aircraft of Marine fighter attack squadrons (VMFA). Consequently, all RF-4Bs were retired and VMFP-3 was disbanded.

• United States Marine Corps Aviation
• List of decommissioned United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons

Notes

Bibliography

Web

• Photo of an RF-4B Phantom II, with VMFP-3 markings, on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation
• Photo of an RF-4B Phantom II, with VMFP-3 markings, on display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at MCAS Miramar

These are both dead links.