VMFA(AW)-242
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| Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 | |
|---|---|
 VMFA-242 Insignia courtesy of www.military-graphics.com |
|
| Active | July 1, 1943- November 23, 1945 N/A - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of | Marine Aircraft Group 11 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Miramar |
| Nickname | Bats |
| Motto | "Mors Ex Tenebris" |
| Battles/wars | World War II * Battle of Saipan * Battle of Tinian * Battle of Iwo Jima Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom * Operation Phantom Fury |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LtCol Christopher J. Mahoney |
Marine All- Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242) is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. The squadron, known as the "Bats", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] World War II
Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 242 (VMTB-242) was activated on September 15, 1943. Upon activation, the squadron began training at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California, flying the TBM Avenger. The squadron was then deployed to Espiritu Santo in the Southwest Pacific aboard the USS Kitkun Bay in February 1944. Thus began the squadron’s long combat history, starting in the Northern Solomon’s, later shifting to the Battle of Saipan and Battle of Tinian, and finally to Battle of Iwo Jima where the squadron flew anti-submarine patrols until the end of World War II. On November 5, 1945, the squadron left Guam for San Diego and 18 days later was deactivated on November 23, 1945
[edit] Vietnam War
In late 1966, VMA(AW)-242 joined the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Danang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam and by November of that year, was participating in combat operations against the Viet Cong and the NVA. Initially the squadron supported allied ground forces, but during April 1967, the Bats were also assigned to the first of many Operation Rolling Thunder missions (deep strikes) over North Vietnam. The squadron, utilizing the unique capabilities of the A-6, flew patrols over North Vietnam until the bombing halt late in 1968. Until the squadron’s departure from Vietnam on September 8, 1970, the Bats continued supporting allied forces in South Vietnam, as well as flying sorties against the Ho Chi Minh Trail in North Vietnam and central Laos. During the squadron’s tour in the Republic of Vietnam, VMA(AW)-242 logged 16,783 combat sorties and delivered 85,990 tons of ordnance.
[edit] Post Vietnam & the 1980s
[edit] The Gulf War & the 1990s
In August 1990, the squadron deployed as part of MAG-70 in Operation Desert Shield. Seven aircraft were flown to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, with four aircraft being transferred to VMA(AW)-242 to increase their combat effectiveness in support of Operation Desert Storm
On December 14, 1991, VMA(AW)-242 was re-designated as Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, and the Bats began conversion to the F/A-18D Hornet. VMFA(AW)-242 received its first aircraft in February 1991 with the final Hornet being accepted in August of that year.
[edit] The Global War on Terror
From August 4, 2004 to March 18, 2005, the Bats supported Operation Iraqi Freedom. Utilizing the combat callsign “Profane”; VMFA(AW)-242 spent seven months flying out of Al Asad, Iraq. During this time they provided close air support for the 1st Marine Division during Operation Phantom Fury. Profane sections flew cyclic missions dropping over 300,000 pounds of ordnance in support of Marines and Soldiers on the ground overtaking the city. During this battle precision guided ordnance was dropped danger close with zno cases of fratricide. Just two months later, in January of 2005, VMFA(AW)-242 proudly played a major role in Iraq’s first democratic elections ever. For a five day period Bat aircraft were airborne twenty four hours a day in order to deter the insurgent’s efforts to undermine the election. The squadron received the Robert M. Hanson “Marine Fighter Squadron" of the Year award in October of 2005.
