Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron-3 After the Korean War, the Marine Corps combined all of its reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft into three composite squadrons, VMCJ-1, 2, and 3. This was the structure when the RF-4B was first added to the Marine inventory, beginning in 1965, with the squadrons based at El Toro, Cherry Point, and MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. The first deliveries of the RF-4B went to VMCJ-3 at MCAS El Toro in May 1965 .About the same time new EA-6A's were being delivered to VMCJ-2 at Cherry Point, NC. At the time VMCJ-1 was stationed at DaNang and was flying RF-8A Crusaders & EF-10B Skynights. After all the new RF-4B's were delivered to VMCJ-3 at El Toro and all training complete, on October 21, 1966, the squadron "TransPac'd" (flew across the Pacific) to DaNang via Hawaii, Wake, Is., Guam, the Philippines and then into DaNang, with the new RF-4B's. We were joined by VMCJ-2's new EA-6A's who also TransPac'd across the pond and became the new VMCJ-1. Official date "in country" was 28 October 1966. I was one of the VMCJ-3/VMCJ-1 RF-4B pilots. I'm sure can appreciate the RF-4B & the EA-6A's (even with external tanks) did not have the range to fly from the West Coast to Hawaii, Hawaii to Wake etc. At the half way points of each leg, we dropped down to rendezvoused with C-130 tankers at 20k feet, took on full fuel and then climbed back up to cruise altitude at 35,000 to 38,000 feet to complete the balance of each leg. From October 28, 1966 and for 2 ½ months thereafter VMCJ-1, commanded by Lt. Col. W.B. Fleming, had four different types of aircraft; RF-4B's, EA-6A's, RF-8A's and EF-10B's. In December 1966 the RF-8's were phased out (transferred back to the U.S.) and the squadron conducted its combat missions with the remaining three types of A/C. Most of the pilots flew two of the types, Bill Fleming for safety reasons felt that two, considering that we were in a combat theater, was enough. VMCJ-1's call sign was: "Cottonpicker" Name: Playboys Tail Code: On 1 Dec. 1955 VMC-2 and VMJ-2 were consolidated at MCAS Cherry Point and redesignated VMCJ-2. The new squadron had by this time added the day-photo modified Grumman F9F Cougar to the Skyraider fleet. In Nov. 1957 the squadron traded in their Skyraiders for the ECM modified Douglas F3D-2Q Skynights and by 1959 the squadron traded in the F9F Cougar for the day-photo Chance Vought F8U-1P Crusader. Around Jan. 1965 the squadron requested and received permission from Playboy Magazine to adopt the registered trademark Playboy Bunny symbol as the squadron insignia. The first RF-4B assigned to VMCJ-2 was #153090 delivered on 17 Jan and assigned the modex CY00. Over the years, VMCJ-3 kept up with the pace of new developments in equipment and techniques. The F9F-5PPanthers were replaced with Vought F8U-1P Crusaders which, in 1965, were in their turn replaced by McDonnell Douglas RF-4B Phantoms. Since its inception in 1955, VMCJ-3 averaged six weeks of deployment per year and participated in four fleet excercises annually while maintaining a training base for personnel intended for duty in the Western Pacific. Until the last EA-6A departed for Cherry Point, NC, in Feb, 1975, the duel capacity of the squadron was reflected by the duel qualifications of a majority of the personnel who served in the command. The broad training base provided a great deal of flexibility in squadron functioning and operational capabilities. Trivial Facts The addition of the RF-4B Phantom to VMCJ-2 added a bit of history by making the squadron the sole USMC tactical air unit to have four different aircraft types in their inventory simultaneously: RF-8A Crusader RF-4B Phantom, EF-10B Skynight and the newer Grumman EA-6A Intruder. Recommended Screen Resolution 1024 x 768 Enable pop-ups to fully enjoy this site. This website is not affiliated with the U.S. Government or the United States Marine Corps in any way. This website is a copyright and the property of the Phabulous Phantom Productions and the information and photos gathered for this website are intended for the purpose of providing un-official information and entertainment for those interested in the history of Marine Corps RF-4B Squadrons and the RF-4B Phantom II aircraft.