The Raider Mobile Foundation
VMGR-352 Tanker Lincoln Restoration ProjectHelp us restore this piece of Raider tradition and history and give back a little something that means so much to the Marines who continue to serve today and to those who left, retired, or gone before us. No amount is too little.
The Raider Mobile
VMGR-352 Tanker Lincoln Restoration Project
This is a 1969 Lincoln Continental, which served as the squadron car for Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 (VMGR-352). This car embodies the history of the squadron from the 1980’s through the resurrection of the vehicle in 2021.
The Raider Mobile Foundation’s objective is to preserve the vehicle’s rich and colorful history, the car’s relationship with VMGR-352 as both experience peacetime as well as wartime operations, promulgate the squadron’s distinguished history after transitioning from a trans-oceanic aerial refueler unit to a multi-mission tactical squadron, place the squadrons notable achievements in historical and cultural context, highlight the decline and eventual resurrection of the squadron car, and advocate an employment and sustainment campaign.
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OPERATION RESTORE TANKER LINCOLN
Project Concept & Plan:
This story began for me with a mutual love of a squadron icon and the desire to find the history behind the “Raider Mobile.” Fast forward ten years, as I retire, and now am researching more known on the car, and trying to begin a “Foundation” of those interested in a restoration of some kind, thus ensuring the memories and possibly the physical car is kept alive for years to come. The RaiderMobile is now back in Miramar and we are currently planning for its return to the profound history of having the Lincoln on display during the annual air show. In years past, there are many stories of how the iconic Lincoln was included by the command on MCAS El Toro, and now for the first time since April of 1997 the RaiderMobile will be on display at the 2022 MCAS Airshow in September.
Project Progress Updates
July 2021 – July 2022
This update is a big one!!! The RaiderMobile has now been back with the Marines at the squadron in Miramar for a full year. We are currently in the planning for its return to the profound history of having the Lincoln on display during the annual air show. In years past there are many stories of how the iconic Lincoln was included by the command on MCAS El Toro, and now for the first time since April of 1997 the RaiderMobile will be on display at the 2022 MCAS Airshow in September. After the RaiderMobile was again returned to the squadron in July the command has been enjoying having the Lincoln back in its "fleet". The Lincoln gets driven a few times a month by Marines within the command for various events, lunch outings, or even to meetings with the MAG and or base Commanding Officers by LtCol Blejski. When not in use it is proudly on display in the parking lot out front the command or covered up to keep the dust off her from the many construction projects going on near the squadron. In late October 2021 The RaiderMobile looking spooky, was on display by the squadron during the MCAS Miramar Trunk or Treat. This event was a fun-filled afternoon and the Lincoln was "dressed up" with cobwebs and spooky memorabilia, a few skeletons in her trunk, graveyard headstones posted to her windows and was even voted best in show while the Marines handed out candy to the kids and dads got to check out the Lincoln on display. In November 2021 the Raidermobile went viral!! One of the...
Raider Mobile: History
The “Raider Mobile” or “Tanker Lincoln” may be the most famous and long-lived squadron car in the US Military. The epic story of the car is closely entwined with the Raiders through nearly four decades. From its purchase in 1984 through its current history in 2021, the vehicle personified VMGR-352.
The name Operation RESTORE TANKER LINCOLN was originally given to a proactive Course of Action (COA) with the goal of getting the squadron car repaired to at least a museum quality static display at a minimum or, if able, to restore or replace a vehicle to a fully mission capable (FMC) status. That has happened, and since the delivery back to the squadron in 2021, the iconic Lincoln is still in use today.
The link between the past and the present, embodied in the preceding pages, tell the story of a black 1969 Lincoln Continental with suicide doors, along with an entourage of Battle Herk Marines, through almost four decades of hard work and play, war and peace, triumph and tragedy. Through the support of many individuals time and donations, the return of the Tanker Lincoln or Raider Mobile was made possible in 2021. The Lincoln was once again with the squadron car representing every VMGR-352 Marine, past, present, and future.
