page_title: VMAQ-2
section_title: Global War on Terrorism
hierarchical_section_title: VMAQ-2 / History / Global War on Terrorism
caption_attribution_description: English: Aerial of a US Marine Corps (USMC) EA-6B Prowler, Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 (VMAQ-2), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina (NC), in the sky over Iraq (IRQ) during a combat mission in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
context_page_description: Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 was a United States Marine Corps electronic warfare squadron in service from 1952 to 2019. It was the last squadron flying the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler.
context_section_description: In February 2003, VMAQ-2 deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, initially in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and then Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. VMAQ-2 logged over 1000 combat hours in under 60 days in the war to liberate Iraq.
  VMAQ-2 deployed to Tallil Air Base, Iraq, for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II from July 2004 through January 2005 and became the first Prowler squadron to operate from Iraqi soil. The squadron logged over 2000 mishap-free combat hours and attained 10,000 Mishap Free Flight Hours during the same period. VMAQ-2 was subsequently chosen as the Marine Corps Aviation Association 2005 Prowler squadron of the year.
  In January 2006, VMAQ-2 deployed to Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 05-07. VMAQ-2 flew 691 combat missions for 3286.7 combat flight hours and supported 975 Joint Tactical Air Requests (JTARS). This rigorous operational tempo resulted in four times the normal airframe utilization rate.
  In July 2007, VMAQ-2 returned to Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 06-08. During the deployment, VMAQ-2 flew 821 combat missions for a total of 4423.0 combat flight hours while supporting Coalition ground forces. This sustained tempo led not only to the highest utilization rate for any Prowler squadron but also for any Type/Model/Series in the Marine Corps.
  In November 2018, VMAQ-2 returned from performing the final deployed operations of USMC Prowlers. VMAQ-2 was deactivated on 8 March 2019.
caption: An EA-6B Prowler from VMAQ-2 over Iraq in 2004.
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