page_title: VMO-2
section_title: Operation Desert Storm
hierarchical_section_title: VMO-2 / Operation Desert Storm
caption_attribution_description: A U.S. Marine Corps North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco (BuNo 155454) assigned to Marine Observation Squadron VM0-2 is tied down at the King Abdul Aziz Stadium parking area, Mecca (Saudi-Arabia), during operation "Desert Shield". Note the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II aircraft in the background.
context_page_description: Marine Observation Squadron 2 was an observation squadron of the United States Marine Corps which saw extensive action during World War II and the Vietnam War. They were based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan and Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California and saw their final combat in support of Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The squadron was decommissioned on May 23, 1993.
context_section_description: In August 1990, VMO-2 made aviation news by launching six OV-10's on an unprecedented 16,000 km (10,000 mi) journey to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. Beginning in January 1991 the squadron flew a total of 286 combat missions totaling 900 flight hours during Operation Desert Storm. Missions were flown around the clock for the duration of the conflict, focusing primarily on controlling U.S. and Allied artillery, numerous attack aircraft, and naval gunfire, including spotting for the USS Wisconsin's first combat firing since the Korean War. The squadron performed these demanding and crucial missions despite being targeted by Iraqi surface-to-air missile gunners over 94 times and while trying to avoid large concentrations of antiaircraft artillery. These efforts resulted in confirmed kills totaling 54 tanks, 53 armored personnel carriers, 49 artillery pieces, 112 other vehicles, and four command post buildings.
caption: A VMO-2 OV-10A at Mecca in December 1990.
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