VMUT-2 Night Owls starts Reaper flights

On 21 November 2024, Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron 2 (VMUT-2) Night Owls ('EZ-xxx') started their first flight with the MQ-9A Reaper at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point (NC).

The unit, previously named VMU-2 and operating the RQ-21A Blackjack transitioned to the General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper. VMUT-2 will serve as the MQ-9A Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), training Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) officers and enlisted sensor operators.

In February 2021, the USMC decided to divest all RQ-21A systems in favour of transitioning to the MQ-9A Reaper. Divestment was completed by FY 2024. VMU-2 completed the last operational flight of the RQ-21A on 30 March 2023, and was redesignated as VMUT-2 in July 2023.

Next to VMUT-2, the USMC operates the MQ-9A Reaper with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 (VMU-1) Watchdogs ('WG-xxx') at Yuma MCAS (AZ) and Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3) Phantoms ('FZ-xxx') at Kaneohe Bay MCAF (HI).

Credit photo: USMC/Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin