In February 1998, the "Raiders" were tasked to be a part of the United Nation's Relief Effort, Operation Noble Response in Kenya, Africa.

In early January 1999, the Raiders deployed a four-plane detachment to Mombassa, Kenya to extract American citizens and foreign nationals from Eritrea and Ethiopia, Africa in support of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) AND Operation Safe Departure.

Though the crisis did not escalate to the point where Marines were required to conduct a NEO, the Raiders provided the 13th MEU with support during operations "Eager Mace" in Kenya and "Native Fury" in Kuwait.

On 15 April 1999, VMGR-352 moved their squadron from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California to MCAS Miramar as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission mandates.

On 28 June 1999, the Raiders were tasked with supporting Operation Northern Watch by providing helicopter aerial refueling (HAR) for the 66th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ARQS) in Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

During February 2000, VMGR-352 launched a two-plane detachment to Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base in Kuwait to support Operation Southern Watch.

The squadron once again deployed to Bahrain to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing aerial refueling and assault support to coalition forces.

[4] The Raiders deployed once again in February 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in cooperation with sister squadron VMGR-252, based at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.

Every 6–7 months, det personnel were rotated keeping a constant presence in both Iraq and Afghanistan as well as deploying in support of various Marine Expeditionary Units.

[5] With the addition of the ISR / Weapon Mission Kit, the KC-130J is able to serve as an overwatch aircraft and delivers close air support in the form of Hellfire missiles and precision-guided bombs.

This capability, designated as "Harvest HAWK" (Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit), can be used in scenarios where precision is not a requisite, such as area denial.

In addition to its numerous combat deployments and international humanitarian aid efforts, VMGR-352 answered its own country's call for assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's ravage of the Gulf Coast in September 2005.

Flying day and night to deliver aid in the form of supplies and military personnel to the area, the Raiders were an integral part of a massive logistical effort by the Armed Forces of the United States.

It is visible as Clint Eastwood walks off into the sunset with his love interest Marsha Mason after returning from a successful mission in Grenada rescuing students.