Marine Observation Squadron 2 (VMO-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.

Mission
Provide aerial fire support spotting and intelligence in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

History
World War II and the 1950s

Artillery Spotting Division, Marine Observation Squadron 251 (VMO-251) was commissioned at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, on November 1, 1943.[2] In February 1944, VMO-251 was re-designated VMO-2 and attached to the 2nd Marine Division in Hawaii flying hundreds of missions in the OY-1 aircraft. The squadron participated in the Battle of Saipan where they were the first American airplanes to land at Marpi Point Field.[3] During the Battle of Tinian the squadron reconnoitered the island and registered the various batteries positions. The Battle of Okinawa would see their last combat of the war. During the battle, aircraft from the squadron would again be the first American planes to land on the island and they would continue in their primary role of reconnaissance and artillery-spotting missions. Following the surrender of Japan, the squadron remained in Japan until June 1946 when it sailed for the United States. Arriving at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, VMO-2 was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 22 (MAG-22), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Here the squadron was decommissioned on August 26, 1946.[3]

VMO-2 was re-commissioned on June 15, 1951 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, California with a new updated mission set centered on reconnaissance and artillery and naval gunfire spotting. In 1953, the squadron moved to Japan with fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and remained there until April 1956 when all but a subunit was relocated to Okinawa.

Vietnam War

Beginning in 1965 VMO-2 was part of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) at Marble Mountain Air Facility, Da Nang in South Vietnam flying the UH-1E Iroquois. On July 6, 1968 the first OV-10 Broncos belonging to VMO-2 arrived at Danang.[5] The small, maneuverable, lightly armed reconnaissance aircraft was tailor-made to support counter-insurgency operations. Beginning in 1969 the squadron began to fly the AH-1G Cobra. The squadron split on 17 December 1969, becoming an OV-10 only unit. On February 2, 1970 VMO-2 transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) at Da Nang Air Base. The squadron flew its last combat mission on March 22, 1971. The Bronco flew over 38,000 combat flight hours between September 8, 1968 and 23 March 1971. On 24–25 March 1971, the remaining 14 Broncos were flown to Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Philippines for follow on travel to the United States. The squadron was in cadre status until September 30, 1971 when it was re-commissioned at MCALF Camp Pendleton, California. They received the nine OV-10s that had been assigned to HMLA-267.

Operation Desert Storm

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.[4]

Popular culture
In the U.S. television series Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988) the main characters Rick Wright played by Larry Manetti, and T.C. played by Roger E. Mosley had previously been members of VMO-2 in Vietnam. Tom Selleck and Roger E. Mosley wore “VMO-2 DaNang” baseball caps in the series.

In the 2018 reboot of Magnum P.I. Episode 2, Carl Weathers is wearing a VMO-2 DaNang baseball cap.