Marine Prowlers deploy to Iwakuni, Japan under UDP

The Pacific Pivot continues. In addition to more Marine Corps ground units being slated to be based at Okinawa on six-month rotations, it has also been revealed that a USMC EA-6B Prowler squadron has begun operating from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.

While the linked article above provides little in the way of specifics regarding deployment dates/number of aircraft, our sources have indicated that he first detachment of five aircraft from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 (VMAQ-4) Seahawks have arrived at Iwakuni in early February, and the Prowler detachment will be part of the Marine Corps' Unit Deployment Program (UDP), which currently sees two Marine F/A-18 Hornet squadrons deploy to Iwakuni on six-month rotations. In addition, the aviation element of the UDP also sees Marine AV-8B Harriers and helicopters being stationed on nearby Okinawa.

The Marines currently operate four five-aircraft squadrons of Prowlers from MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina. The EA-6B Prowler is an Electronic Warfare aircraft equipped with advanced electronic countermeasures and missiles capable of disabling/attacking enemy air defenses and gathering intelligence.

Vikings Hornet makes 'precautionary' landing on Midway

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet has landed on Midway Atoll in the Pacific as a precaution due to an unspecified problem while flying from Hawaii to Iwakuni, Japan. The aircraft, from VMFA-225 'Vikings', was on it's way to Japan after taking part in the multinational Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

So, it looks like the Vikings will take over VMFA-121 Green Knights as the UDP squadron at Iwakuni.

USMC Jan 2012 Unit Deployment Program (Japan) update

The regular rotation of US Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet units forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni under the Unit Deployment Program has taken place, with the following units involved:

Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12), MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
VFA-94 "Mighty Shrikes" departed Jan 5-7 with 12 F/A-18C Hornets.
VMFA-121 "Green Knights" arrived Jan 25-26 with 9 F/A-18D and F/A-18D (ATARS) Hornets.

Info via Gonavy.

USMC Sept 2011 Unit Deployment Program (Japan) update

The regular rotation of US Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet units forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni under the Unit Deployment Program has taken place, with the following units involved:

Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12), MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
VMFA-314 "Black Knights" departed Aug, Sep 5/6 with 12 F/A-18A++ Hornets.
VMFA-115 "Silver Eagles" arrived Sep 4/5 with 10 F/A-18A++ Hornets.

Info via Gonavy.

USMC July 2011 Unit Deployment Program (Japan) update

The regular rotation of US Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet units forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni under the Unit Deployment Program has taken place, with the following units involved:

Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12), MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
VMFA(AW)-533 "Hawks" departed Kadena Jul 15 with 13 F/A-18D Hornets.
VFA-94 "Mighty Shrikes" arrived July 14 with 12 F/A-18C(N) Hornets.

Info via Gonavy.

USMC March 2011 Unit Deployment Program (Japan) update

The regular rotation of US Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet units forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni under the Unit Deployment Program has taken place, with the following units involved:

Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12), MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
VMFA(AW)-225 "Vikings" departed March 11 with 12 F/A-18D Hornets.
VMFA-314 "Black Knights" arrived March 9-11 with 12 F/A-18A+ Hornets.

Info via Gonavy.

VMFA(AW)-533 splits force, accomplishes two missions

Part of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, or VMFA(AW)-533 has deployed at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii in support of Lava Viper 11-1. Meanwhile, six other jets from the Hawks advanced to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan in support of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP). The UDP allows Marine units to deploy throughout the Western Pacific on six-month rotations.

USMC Jan 2011 Unit Deployment Program (Japan) update

The regular rotation of US Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8 Harrier units forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni and Kadena AFB has taken place, with the following units involved:

Marine Wing Liaison Kadena, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
VMA-211 "Avengers" arrived Jan 8 with eight AV-8B Harrier IIs
VMA-542 "Tigers" departed Jan 11 with eight AV-8B Harrier IIs

Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12), MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
VMFA(AW)-533 "Hawks" arrived Jan 20-21 with six F/A-18D Hornets (more expected to follow)
VMFA(AW)-224 "Bengals" departed Jan 20-23 with ten F/A-18D Hornets. 2 F/A-18D transferred to VMFA(AW)-242 "Bats"

Info via Gonavy

Wake Island Avengers ready for 2011 deployment

Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 has returned home to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base after completing predeployment training. The AV-8B Harrier unit will leave for Okinawa in early 2011, attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Vikings arrive at Iwakuni, Green Knights leave

The F/A-18D Hornets of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225, or VMFA(AW)-225 have arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the Unit Deployment Program. The Vikings join the Bats of VMFA(AW)-242 and Bengals of VMFA(AW)-224 at Iwakuni, with the latter unit also there on the UDP.

VMFA(AW)-224 Bengals arrive at Iwakuni on UDP

Marine All Weather Figher Attack Squadron 224, the Bengals, with 12 F/A-18D Hornets has arrived at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan for a 6 month rotation on the Unit Deployment Program. The unit arrived from its participation in RIMPAC and will also participate in various exercises around the Pacific Rim in the coming months.

USMC UDP update

The Harriers of VMA-542 Tigers and F/A-18Ds of VMFA-224 Bengals are currently at Kadena Airbase, Okinawa and MCAS Iwakuni, Japan respectively as part of the Marines' Unit Deployment Program (UDP). They replace VMA-311 Tomcats and VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes.

PHOTO: VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes boss bird at MCAS Iwakuni

Click on thumbnail to view high res image)
VFA-94’s CAG bird taxis back to its hangar after a function check at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. VFA-94 was deployed at Iwakuni as part of the Marines' Unit Deployment Program (UDP) where Navy or Marine Corps F/A-18 units are temporarily deployed to Iwakuni on six-month rotations. Note that the aircraft's colourful markings also apply to its drop tanks. The letters SHWFOTS on the tail stands for "Shit Hot World Famous Orange Tail Shrikes" (otherwise known as The Mighty Shrikes). The Mighty Shrikes finished their deployment and departed Iwakuni on July 16th. (USMC Photo by Lance Cpl. Marcel C. Brown)