MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 Moondogs arrived on Station Jan. 17 for a six-month tour under the Unit Deployment program.
The Squadron, consisting of approximately 170 Marines and five EA-6B Prowler aircraft, is joining the Iwakuni team from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.
The primary mission of the Moondogs will be to provide aerial support throughout the Pacific Theater and support the Station's units during deployment, according to Master Sgt. Michael Marrow, VMAQ-3 acting sergeant major.
Although the squadron just arrived aboard the Station last week, they are by no means strangers to Iwakuni or the Western Pacific Theater.
In Nov. 1998, the Moondogs participated in Exercise Foal Eagle on the Korean peninsula and also took part in Beachcreast '99.
This time around the unit is looking forward to deploying to more areas around the Pacific Theater in support of other Marine Corps operations.
"While we are in Iwakuni we will be providing support to Operation Cope Tiger in Thailand, and hope to be a part of other deployments and operations," said Marrow.
Although flying missions is the squadron's first priority while UDP here, being the best Marines possible is a close second.
"Every time someone walks by a really squared away Marine, or sees a Marine in the gym lifting 500 pounds, we want them to think it is a Moondog," said Marrow. "We plan on taking this whole Station by storm."