-Maj. Donald "Beak" Beck- History doesn't begin to mention the enlisted troops who kept the aircraft flying. Marine RF-4Bs were an amalgamation of parts from several different versions of the F-4. Their efforts, particularly on the dangerous ground of the aircraft carrier flight deck, allowed a lot of good aircrew to go and accomplish the mission. While our airplanes were never the prettiest RF-4, leaked a lot of fluids, and were sometimes flown when they shouldn't have been, I can't think of a single aircraft accident that was charged to our maintenance department. They were the best. -Tony L. Marlow- (Seat Mech.) For the time I spent there, Gave me some of the best memories, Stories, pictures, And friendships, One could never have imagined. And for this I'm very thankfull I served my time there... We were the newest Black Sheep of the airwingers...Zap RF's Forever..... - Sgt. Mike Morehead- (Seat Mech.) I came to P-3 right after doint my TME time with some Beaufort squadron which flew F-4J/S models. The LOX door on those planes used air locks, so naturally I brought my "snoopy" with me. Needless to say, the folks in seat shop found it quite amusing when I went out to service the LOX bottle armed with a "snoopy" (the RF LOX compartment (YIKES! it was door 16) used barrel nuts). Anyway, I was sent to do echo checks, fetch flight line, and any number of humiliating tasks. Aaah, but I wised up, so when they said that I was going to do a month of "phone watch," I immediately told them that I was too smart this time and that they could shove phone watch up their asses. Well, I found myself in the ready room watching the damn phone for a month. Then, later, I was told that I had to do "wheels whatch." Aah haa! got you this time. Well, I of course found myself sitting at the end of the runway watching the damn wheels in landing aircraft. Just goes to show you: wheels watch good, three feet of flight line bad. Semper Fi brothers! -Cpl. Paul Cason- (6334) I transfered from 2/7 to P-3 around 85. When I arrived at Millington for school, I was quite shocked. I will explain. Being in the grunts for a few years, you can imagine the culture shock transfering from an infantry division to the airwing. Unless you were prior infantry its really hard to understand the change. Anyway, upon arriving to my first school, the first and formost thing on my mind was checking out my M-16 to see what kind of shape it was in. I got the strangest look from people when I asked where the armory was at. Also seeing Marines in... well less than what I would consider proper haircuts and less than properly starched uniforms well it all seemed like a different world. Needless to say, I got used to it and really became attached to P-3 and the great Marines that I had the pleasure to work with. - Sgt. Kevin Hurtle- (Plane Captain) Stories of Det.s how about stealing the group flag in Iwakuni in the middle of the day, or the infamous toga party that put everyone on base restriction or legal hold, or the barbequed ducks at Shaw Airforce Base or the stolen type writers for another det. to Shaw, they had no sense of humor. How about the powerplant Lcpl that passed out drunk on the base C.O.'s porch and got caught. There are so many stories you could fill up 3 more websites. There is another tidbit about the green paint used to paint the tails in 1979. The X.O. had his volkswagon bug mysteriously painted green with the fox, side# and the whole nine yards. -Sgt. Tom Hotchkiss- (Plane Captain) We used to take a spare nose wheel tire and pull the ole "oops the wheel fell off the jet!!" on the rookie pilots...and the old "open the flaps after it rained" trick..and soak the newbies...we had such a blast....p.s. Marc...I remember you getting mad when iI sent you to the seat shop for cross training...will you ever forgive me?? -Cpl. Steve Bautz- (Ordnance) In '83 we won the Commandant's Aviation Efficiency Trophy for that year. It was proudly displayed in the hangar. If memory serves me correctly, someone "broke into" the trophy case and put a large dead rat in with the trophy. It gave a whole new meaning to the RF squadron( Rat F------ ). -GySgt. Todd Schnakenberg- (6317) Recon Radar Shop/Photo Geek. I was one of the last FNG's to come to P-3. I have great memories and still stay in touch with a few Marines from P-3. -Sgt. Mark Buehman- (Photoline) Best squadron I was ever in. OK, so I was only in two squadrons! Was in Photoline the entire time with three West Pacs. Was sent to the squadron from school just as the final boat det was leaving. No pics of the Albino Rhino in the images section. Made some great friends there and had some awesome times. RIFed in 1985, served as a reservist for a short period, went to work at McDonnell Douglas, then Boeing. Currently a plumber for Roto-Rooter. On my second marriage with 5 kids between us. Was unhappy to have missed the first reunion and hoping to make this one. If ya see a VW trike rolling up, that'll be me. -Sgt. Robert Salazar- (Plane Captain) Checked into The last Hanger on base and directed to the flight line shack. Did I say shack. Sorry ! Sgt Carson And Hotchkiss called it office. Who was the one who came up with the idea of burning JP-5 in the heating stove. I loved that building and the next two remodels. Remember all your art work Iseli. Best time of my life. Burdeshaw best paperwork guy in the shop. Remember getting caught by the canopy. RFs Forever -MSgt. Lon R. Howard- (6087 in P-3) P-3 was probably one of best squadrons I ever served in. -Sgt. Jose M. Leon Jr. - (6046) How great to get this page. I have always been very proud and honored to be part of VMFP-3, the finest Recon Squadron in the Marine Corps...oh wait, the only Rec Squadron in the Marine Corps. LOL -Cpl. SAN JUAN CARDENAS - ( 6024) GREAT FRIENDS ,GREAT TIMES ,FOND MEMORIES ,SEMPER FI BROTHERS -Sgt. Scott M. Bull - (6475) Being in the Marine Corps was a very good thing for me. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Going on Det with P3 was great. The Midway was an irreplaceable memory. Seeing it now in San Diego at Navy Pier is something you all should see & support. -Sgt. Mike "Swizz" Sowizdrzal- (Photo Line) I still remember a lot of interesting things that occurred, while VMFP-3 had detachments overseas, that it may/may not have been involved with. We partied our asses off, but we busted those same asses keeping the squadron flying, too. -Sgt. Jonathan "Smitty" Smith- (Metal Shop) I was a tin bender...metalshop...specialized in Paint & Refinish....ummm corrosion control and I was the dude that did all the art work for the squadron ... attached is a pick of the design I did for and painted on all the Tails...all of them..and for the hanger Doors..god I wish I had A pick of that.. from the Kelly green Tails on.....Afterwards I moved on to VFA-106 in FL. and did their design too...check it out...anyway..so cool to find a fellow mate of a time of........hmmm.........some of the best days of my life ! -Sgt. James E. Brown - (Ordnance) I remember reinlisting and being told You are going to California to VMFP-3. "I said P-3 what the hell is that?" ( I thought the Marine Corps don't have Orions). I was then told its a Photo Recon squadron at El Toro. I was then told I wouldn't have shit to do because they were un-armed and un-afraid. You see I was an Aviation Ordnanceman on the Mighty Phantom. Man what had I gotten myself into? Well folks I had a great three years in P-3. No I didn't load a lot of Ordnance and I wasn't always keen on running the tool room in Iwakuni but I met some great people and I learned a few things too. Rat F*@#ers Forever -Sgt. Kris L. Mikkelborg - (6024) As a powerplant mechanic these four years were some of the best times of my life. I had the opportunity to work in maintenance control and made many friends, (pissed off a few too!) SemperFi my friends Trivial Facts -Bob Wright- VMFP-3 76-83 VMFP-3 Slogan We fly the mighty RF, we fly it hard and fast, so pucker up your fighter lips and kiss our recon ass. 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.