In addition to improving the aircrew and maintenance personnel of 10 Navy and Marine Corps squadrons, VMGRT-253 stands ready to augment forward deployed operational units. During Operation Desert Storm VMGRT-253 was tasked with providing tankers to requalify numerous fixed wing jet pilots in aerial refueling prior to deploying to the desert. Additionally, after Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992, VMGRT-253 crews and aircraft provided disaster relief support. In March 1996 the Titans completed their first ever full deployment. While deployed in Key West for two weeks the squadron carried out all normal assignments and flew an aggressive flight schedule.