The squadron, known as the "Yankees", was stationed at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York.

Support Fleet Marine Force commitments worldwide by providing both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aerial refueling capabilities in addition to assault air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, 62 reservists were activated in order to support Operation Enduring Freedom on 28 January 2002.

Seven aircraft along with pilots, aircrew, and support Marines went to Bahrain to join two other KC130 squadrons.

On 10 July 2017, one of VMGR-452's KC-130T aircraft took off from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and crashed later that afternoon in Mississippi, killing all 16 personnel onboard.