Navy's Carrier Air Wing One and deployed as part of the USS America and USS George Washington battle groups from 1995 through 1997. The squadron then deployed on board the USS John F Kennedy (CV-67) during 1999-2000 for OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH. Global War on Terror On 12 February 2003, the squadron deployed to Ahmed Al Jaber Airbase, Kuwait as part of Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). On February 20, 2003, the squadron began flying combat missions in support of Operation Southern Watch and then transitioned to combat operations in support of OIF on 20 March 2003. During the conflict Thunderbolts flew over 650 combat missions over Iraq, accumulating more than 1,200 combat flight hours and dropped more than 7,100 weapons amounting to approximately 832,000 pounds of ordnance. Throughout the deployment maintenance Marines performed over 8,000 maintenance man-hours resulting in a 76% full mission capable rate. In 2006 the squadron deployed to Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Upon their return they again deployed, this time on board the . They were away from June to December 2007 and flew combat sorties in support of OIF and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan. Unit Awards Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with one Bronze Star(19 Aug 1942 – 9 Dec 1942)(21 Mar 2003 – 24 Apr 2004) Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with two Bronze Stars(7 Jul 1953 – 27 Jul 1953)(1 Oct 1997 – 30 Apr 1998)(11 Sep 2001 – 3 Mar 2002) Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with four Bronze Stars(1 Aug 1983 – 31 Mar 1986)(1 Aug 1987 – 1 Jul 1989)(25 Aug 1995 – 24 Feb 1996)(31 Oct 1999 – 31 Mar 2000)(1 Sep 2001 – 1 Aug 2004) Marine Corps Expeditionary Streamer(Cuba, Aug 1961 – Sep 1961) American Defense Service Streamer(1 Dec 1941 – 7 Dec 1941) American Campaign Streamer with one Bronze Star(7 Dec 1941 – 18 Jun 1942)(31 May 1943 – 29 Feb 1944) Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Streamer with one Silver Star and one Bronze Star(Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal, 19 Aug 1942 - 8 Feb 1943)(Consolidation of the Southern Solomons, 9 Feb 1943 - 11 May 1943)(Santa Crux, 26 Oct 1943)(Consolidation of the Northern Solomons, 18 Jun 1944 - 30 Dec 1944)(Luzon Operation, 3 Jan 1945 - 1 April 1945)(Southern Philippines, 2 April 1945 - 1 May 1945) World War II Victory Streamer(7 Dec