VMFA-134
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Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 134 | |
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VMFA-134 Insignia |
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Active | March 1, 1943 |
Country | United States |
Branch | USMC |
Type | Fighter/Attack |
Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
Part of | Marine Aircraft Group 46 4th Marine Aircraft Wing |
Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Miramar |
Nickname | "Smoke" |
Battles/wars | World War II Operation Iraqi Freedom |
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 134 (VMFA-134) is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 46 (MAG-46), 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (4th MAW).
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[edit] Mission
The mission to VMFA-134 is the conduct of Air-to-Air-to-Ground operations in support of the Marine Rifleman.
[edit] History
[edit] World War II
VMFA-134 was activated on May 1, 1943 at Santa Barbara, California, as Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 134 and assigned to Marine Base Defense Aircraft Group 42, Marine Fleet Air, West Coast. Shortly thereafter it was Redesignated as Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 134 on June 1, 1943. From October to November 1943 the squadron deployed to Espirtitu Santo, New Hebrides, and detached from Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing. In November 1943 the squadron was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
During the course of World War II VMFA-134 supported operations on Bougainville, the Bismarck Archipelago and Peleliu. Following these campaigns the squadron went through numerous reassignments to include the following:
- Reassigned during January 1944 to Marine Aircraft Group 24.
- Reassigned during March 1944 to Marine Aircraft Group 14.
- Reassigned during May 1944 to Marine Aircraft Group 12.
- Reassigned during June 1944 to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
- Reassigned during December 1944 to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
Following the war, VMFA-134 was assigned to Tsingtao, China during October 1945 to participate in the Occupation Of North China from October 1945 - April 1946. During this time they were again reassigned during November 1945 to Marine Aircraft Group 32, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and to Marine Aircraft Group 12 in April 1946 upon their return from China. The squadron was deactivated on April 30, 1946.
[edit] 1958-1986
The squadron was reactivated on April 15, 1958 at Los Alamitos, California, as Marine Fighter Squadron 134 in the Marine Corps Reserve (Aviation).
Redesignated again on July 1, 1962 as Marine Attack Squadron 134, Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment, Marine Air Reserve Training Command, Los ALamitos, California. In February 1965 they were again reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 43, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. 1971 saw the squadron move to MCAS El Toro, California. The last redesignation of the squadron occurred on October 1, 1983 as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 134, and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 46.
[edit] Awards
- Navy Unit Commendation Streamer
- Peleliu - 1944
- Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Streamer with Three Bronze Stars
- World War II Victory Streamer
- China Service Streamer