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
VMA(AW)-242 arrived at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California on September 12, 1970 and became the first A-6A squadron in the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. In September 1977, the squadron transitioned to the A-6E aircraft. After ten years at MCAS El Toro, the Bats again deployed overseas to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan as part of the six-month Unit Deployment Program (UDP). During this deployment, the squadron deployed and trained in such places as the Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, and Korea. Upon its return to MCAS El Toro on April 22, 1981, VMA(AW)-242 began receiving the latest model Intruder, the A-6E TRAM, in preparation for redeployment to MCAS Iwakuni in April 1982.
During August 1983, VMA(AW)-242 was the first Marine squadron to deploy to the African continent as part of Operation Eastern Wind in Berbera, Somalia. While in country, the Bats conducted very successful joint operations with the Somali Army Air Defense Force and the United States Navy and Air Force.
In April 1984 and November 1985, the squadron participated in its third and fourth UDP deployments to the Western Pacific. Returning to MCAS El Toro in May 1986, the squadron was awarded the Lawson H. M. Sanderson trophy as the Marine Corps Attack Squadron of the Year for 1986. In April 1987, the Bats made their fifth WestPac UDP deployment. October 1988 saw VMA(AW)-242 redeploy to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan for the sixth and final WestPac UDP with the venerable A-6E Intruder.
[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 dangerously close to friendly forces with zero 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.
