Standardization of military terminology provides for effective communication within, the Department of Defense (DOD). [31] By far the most numerous of any type of Marine Corps squadron, they first made their mark flying the Grumman F4F Wildcat as part of the Cactus Air Force on Guadalcanal and finished World War II flying the venerable Vought F4U Corsair. The main mission of these squadrons was to conduct long range, very high-altitude photographic reconnaissance. Fixed-wing aircraft squadrons (heavier than air) are denoted by the letter "V," which comes from the French verb "Voler" (to fly). Terms, definitions, and acronyms contained in MCRP 1-10.2 come directly from Marine Corps, doctrinal, warfighting, reference, and tactical publications. VMDs/VMPs flew photographic modified versions of the Douglas SBD Dauntless, Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator, Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer and Grumman F7F Tigercat. [3], Squadrons flying lighter than air vehicles (balloons), were indicated by the letter Z in naval squadron designation. Marine tiltrotor squadrons operate the MV-22 Osprey with their main mission being assault support. The squadron was deactivated following the end of the Vietnam War and the reorganization of the Marine Corps' composite community in 1975. After much deliberation the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura was picked as the first choice of aircraft for these squadrons. The Marine Corps’ light attack squadrons (HMLAs) are composite squadrons usually made up of 12 Bell AH-1W Cobras and 6 Bell UH-1N Hueys. [9] After the outbreak of World War II, the Navy authorized the Marine Corps to create barrage balloon squadrons for the air defense of advanced naval bases. The basic tactical and administrative unit of United States Marine Corps Aviation is the squadron. HOW THE MARINES ARE ORGANIZED253 ARC Aviation Refueling Capability ARDEC Army Research Development and Engineering Center A’RFF Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting ARG Amphibious Ready Group ARPA Advanced Research Projects Agency AS Analysis Substation ASD / C31 Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications and … VMF and VMA squadrons were redesignated because the new Phantoms could be both fighter aircraft and ground attack aircraft. Directive 5025.12, Standardization of Military and Associated Terminology. Their mission has been assumed by the VMFA(AW) squadrons flying the F/A-18D Hornet. [101] The end of the Cold War saw the deactivation of some VMFA squadrons as part of the overall drawdown of the US Military[102]. They were responsible for towing targets for antiaircraft gunnery and radar tracking practice. [82] They saw extensive service during the Vietnam War flying the North American OV-10 Bronco. Fixed-wing aircraft squadrons (heavier than air) are denoted by the letter "V," which comes from the French verb "Voler" (to fly). During World War II they were the only Marine Corps squadron to operate east of the United States. In the Pacific Theater, the squadrons served ashore as a garrison air force to attack bypassed Japanese bases and other installations.