Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153 (VMGR-153) is a United States Marine Corps KC-130J squadron. The squadron is a part of Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and provides both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aerial refueling capabilities to support Fleet Marine Force (FMF) air operations in addition to assault air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies. During World War II, the squadron was under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 25 and the South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command (SCAT). It delivered approximately 15,000,000 pounds of supplies and equipment, evacuated more than 20,000 casualties, and moved an additional 8,000 personnel throughout the Pacific Theater. VMGR-153 is part of Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) and is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
Image: VMR 153 (1950s)
The Lockheed Martin KC-130 is a family of the extended-range tanker version of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The KC-130J is the latest variant operated by the United States Marine Corps (USMC), with 48 delivered out of 79 ordered. It replaced older KC-130F, KC-130R, and KC-130T variants for aerial refueling. USMC reserve unit, VMGR-452 operated 12 KC-130T aircraft until May 2021; this was the last USMC reserve unit that operated the legacy KC-130s, completing the corps' transition to the more advanced Super Hercules.
Lockheed Martin KC-130
USMC KC-130 and CH-53Es over the Gulf of Aden, 2003
Hellfire missile wing pylon launcher
Griffin missile ramp launcher