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Photo and electronic reconnaissance had previously been conducted by three Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadrons (VMCJ-1, 2, 3) located at [[MCAS Iwakuni|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.
Photo and electronic reconnaissance had previously been conducted by three Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadrons (VMCJ-1, 2, 3) located at [[MCAS Iwakuni|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". you might note that deployments continued to Iwakuni, Japan until May of 1989.
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".


[[File:RF4B VMFP3.JPEG|thumb|Two RF-4B Phantoms in flight in 1990. ( This cannot be 1990. The paint Scheme of black cockpit banding was discontinued in 1987. Se NA 01-1A Manuals for RF-4B airframes dated 1987 or beyond]]
[[File:RF4B VMFP3.JPEG|thumb|Two RF-4B Phantoms in flight in 1990. ( This cannot be 1990. The paint Scheme of black cockpit banding was discontinued in 1987. Se NA 01-1A Manuals for RF-4B airframes dated 1987 or beyond]]
Actually it is 1990, date July 10 taken by Robert L. Lawson. These were some of the last RF-4Bs in service. Repainted during final months. (- citation needed. please provide a reference source for this comment- without references of any kind it should be removed as unverifiable commentary.)
Actually it is 1990, date July 10 taken by Robert L. Lawson. These were some of the last RF-4Bs in service. Repainted during final months.


⚫
In 1990 Marine tactical reconnaissance was taken over by the [[Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System]] carried by [[F/A-18 Hornet|McDonnell Douglas F/A-18D Hornet]] aircraft of Marine fighter attack squadrons (VMFA). Consequently, all RF-4Bs were retired and VMFP-3 was disbanded.
VMFP-3 was the final F-4 unit in the US Marine Corps inventory. A single aircraft was re- painted for the retiring the colors ceremonies on June 28th-30th, 1990. The "flash" was changed in 1988 to a single Angle along the Dorsal Fin, and never re-instated. All other squadron aircraft were painted in accordance with the NA -01 1A Corrosion Prevention and Control Manuals using a two - color camouflage scheme of Light Gull Grey and Dark Gull Grey, with White for interior bay surfaces. The single aircraft that was re- painted for the closing ceremonies was given a rainbow burst pattern along the dorsal fin of nine color bands radiating out from the forward joint with the fuselage. This paint scheme was approved by Lt Gen Drax Williams for the ceremonies only ( then ComCABWest). There was no Robert L. Lawson at the closing ceremonies for VMFP-3 nor assigned to the unit during the months of June,July, or August of 1990. - What you are actually looking at is an image from this webpage: http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f-4-phantom-fighter-bomber/ Image is further copies on these pages: http://chauxuannguyen.org/2015/01/19/thu-ngo-y-ve-chan-dung-quyen-luc/comment-page-1/ https://www.pinterest.com/kyshmn/jets/ http://dreadnokbuzzer.blogspot.com/2014_11_01_archive.html https://plus.google.com/108769164546618324321/posts Image is currently copyrighted with a full release of IP by Peter Manus.

⚫
In 1990 Marine tactical reconnaissance was taken over by the [[Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System]] carried by [[F/A-18 Hornet|McDonnell Douglas F/A-18D Hornet]] aircraft of Marine fighter attack squadrons (VMFA). Consequently, all RF-4Bs were retired and VMFP-3 was disbanded. -All the remaining airframes with three exceptions were sent to Pax River for conversion to QF-4 target drones. Of the three remaining airframes, one is still withering at Davis Monathan AFB in poor condition, one is aicraft listing #36 of the 3rd MAW Air Museum at MCAS Mirimar, CA on display, and the last was sold after severe deterioration in 2003 to a private Air museum located in Mather, CA.
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Revision as of 10:58, 20 March 2016

Marine Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 3
VMFP-3 insignia
ActiveJuly 1, 1975 - September 30, 1990
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
RoleReconnaissance
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)Eyes of the Corps
Tail CodeRF

Marine Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 3 (VMFP-3) was an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps active between 1975 and 1990.

Mission

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

History

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

Two RF-4B Phantoms in flight in 1990. ( This cannot be 1990. The paint Scheme of black cockpit banding was discontinued in 1987. Se NA 01-1A Manuals for RF-4B airframes dated 1987 or beyond

Actually it is 1990, date July 10 taken by Robert L. Lawson. These were some of the last RF-4Bs in service. Repainted during final months.

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.

See also

References

Notes
Bibliography
Web

This is a dead link These 2 sites are much better overall links for Data on VMFP -3 and its various deployments:

http://cv41.org/vmfp3hist.html

http://www.gonavy.jp/usmc07.html 

These are both dead links

Here is Side No #26, in storage approximately 6 months after the MCAS at El Toro was decommissioned. The A/C was to have been turned into a target drone QF-4 for the missile range at Pt Mugu.

MCAS El Toro remains deactivated with several acres and several A/C still languishing with no foreseeable future. http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Marines/McDonnell-RF-4B-Phantom/1160203/L/ 

Here's another VMFP -3 RF- 4B A/C from better times:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Marines/McDonnell-RF-4B-Phantom/2004126/L/ 

circa 1988. Note the correct paint scheme for 1987-1990.

a previous VMCJ-2 unit Airframe:

http://www.mcara.us/RF-4B_photos.html

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