VMA-311

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Marine Attack Squadron 311
VMA-311 Insignia
Active	December 1, 1942 - present
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Attack
Role	Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance
Part of	Marine Aircraft Group 13 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Nickname	Tomcats Hells Belles (WWII)
Battles/wars	World War II * Battle of Okinawa Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom * 2003 invasion of Iraq

Marine Attack Squadron 311 (VMA-311) is a United States Marine Corps fighter squadron consisting of AV-8B Harrier (V/STOL) jets. Known as the "Tomcats", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona and falls under Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).

1 History
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

[edit] World War II

VMF-311 Logo during World War II

Born during the national call-to-arms immediately following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Marine Fighting Squadron 311 (VMF-311) was first organized on December 1, 1942. Quickly transitioning from a training squadron flying the SNJ Texan to a combat squadron flying the F4U Corsair, VMF-311 participated in what was one of the earliest American catapult operations involving the Corsair when 21 F4U’s launched from the USS Nassau (CVE-16) on October 6, 1943. During World War II, VMF-311 was one of the first to utilize and develop tactics for the Corsair in a ground attack mode, foreshadowing the squadron’s future role as an attack squadron. Indicative of its combat effectiveness the squadron destroyed 71 Japanese aircraft in a four-month period during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

[edit] Korean War

TO-1 Shooting Star from VMF-311 in 1948

Upon return from the war in June of 1946, VMF-311 became the first West Coast Marine jet squadron, when it started flying the TO-1 Shooting Star. Coincidently the squadron was re-designated Marine Fighter Squadron 311 (VMF-311). The squadron quickly transitioned to the F9F Panther in October 1949 and found itself once again preparing for war by November 1950. Arriving in Korea on December 7, 1950, VMF-311 was the first land-based Marine jet squadron to be used in combat providing close air support for the Marines and Soldiers on the ground. Additionally the squadron pioneered strip-alert tactics still practiced today. Legendary pilots during this era included Senator John Glenn and baseball star Ted Williams. In over 2 ½ years of action in Korea the squadron amassed 18,851 combat sorties. In 1957, the squadron finally was re-designated Marine Attack Squadron 311 (VMA-311). The nickname “Tomcats” was also bestowed during this era.

[edit] Vietnam War

The first A4D-2 Skyhawk was received by the "Tomcats" in the summer of 1958, initiating 30 years of Skyhawk service. In May of 1965 the squadron, now flying A4E's, deployed to Chu Lai in the Republic of Vietnam and on June 2, they conducted their first combat mission of the Vietnam War. After almost eight years of operations in Vietnam the Tomcats totaled 54,625 combat sorties before leaving in January of 1973. Among the sortie count was an amazing four-day sortie total of 240 from 5 to 8 May 1968 in support of their fellow marines during the Battle of Khe Sahn. During most of their time they were based at Chu Lai^[1].

[edit] The Gulf War

In 1988 VMA-311 received its first AV-8B Harrier and shortly thereafter headed into harm’s way again. On August 11, 1990, after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, VMA-311 deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield, leading all other Marine fixed-wing squadrons into Saudi Arabia. While there, the Tomcats were the most forward deployed fixed-wing squadron. On January 17, 1991 while in support of Operation Desert Storm the squadron became the first to utilize the AV-8B in combat when a flight of four destroyed an Iraqi artillery position.

A VMA-311 Harrier landing on the USS Tarawa in 2001

[edit] Global War on Terror

On November 3, 2001, VMA-311 Harriers attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard the USS Peleliu became the first Harriers to fly combat missions in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

On January 15, 2003, the Marines of VMA-311 deployed to the Northern Persian Gulf as part of Amphibious Task Force West. On March 21, 2003, almost 59 years to the day after VMF-311’s first combat sortie in World War II, the Tomcats flew their first combat sortie of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the war they flew over 550 sorties while dropping 77 tons of precision ordnance, destroying or neutralizing 132 Iraqi targets while operating from two amphibious assault carriers, the USS Bonhomme Richard and the USS Tarawa, a feat unmatched by any other squadron. The Tomcats returned from the Persian Gulf on July 24, 2003.