Operation Enduring Freedom
| In January 2003 the squadron received the order to deploy to Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force’s deployment to Operations Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom. Squadron personnel flew in waves into theater via contract air between 30 January and 11 February. The Purple Foxes flew for three weeks in preparation for the war, and on 20 March 2003 the squadron began flying combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the first 21 days of actual combat operations, the Foxes led all assault support squadrons in theater, flying 862.7 combat hours, evacuating 139 casualties from the field of battle, transporting 1,856 Marines and 98,350 lbs of equipment in direct support of the coalition’s overwhelming defeat of the Iraqi Forces. After hostilities ceased the squadron continued to fly humanitarian, logistics support, command and control, and Casualty Evacuation missions in support of I MEF. These operations continued through September of 2003. On 1 October 2003, the squadron returned to MCAS Camp Pendleton. |
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