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US Marine Corps - Marine Attack Training
Squadron 203 VMAT-203 'Hawks' |
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| 06/23 | ||||||
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 deactivation ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - October 29, 2021  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - July 2021  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - July 2021  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - July 2021  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - February 2021  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - February 2021  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - February 2021  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - February 2021  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - February 2021  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - February 2021  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - January 2021  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - January 2021  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - January 2021  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - January 2021  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - February 2018  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) over North Carolina - September 2017  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) over North Carolina - September 2017  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) over North Carolina - September 2017  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) over North Carolina - September 2017  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) over North Carolina - September 2017  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) over North Carolina - September 2017  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) over North Carolina - September 2017  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - January 2017  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - January 2017  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - January 2017  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - January 2017  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - January 2017  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) - February 2016  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) - September 2015  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) - September 2015  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) - September 2015  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - June 2015  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2015  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2015  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2015  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - March 2015  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - January 2015  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - January 2015  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - August 2014  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - August 2014  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - July 2014  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - May 2014  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - May 2014  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - May 2014  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - May 2014  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - May 2014  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - May 2014  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - February 2014  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - February 2014  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - March 2013  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) - June 2012  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) - June 2012  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) - April 2012  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) - April 2012  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at Marine Corps Auxilary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina - March 2012  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at Marine Corps Auxilary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina - March 2012  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at Marine Corps Auxilary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina - March 2012  MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - September 2010  AV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) over MCAS Yuma, Arizona - July 2010  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - May 2009  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - May 2009  TAV-8B Harrier II (VMAT-203) - December 1993  TAV-8A Harrier (VMAT-203) - 1988  AV-8B Harrier II and AV-8A Harriers (VMAT-203) - 1984  AV-8B Harrier II and AV-8A Harriers (VMAT-203) - 1984  TAV-8A Harrier (VMAT-203) - 1978  TAV-8A Harrier (VMAT-203) landing aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV 42) - 1976 |
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The origin of Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 and its
predecessors dates back to 1947. At various times in its history It
has been VMT-1, VMT-203 and now VMAT-203. VMT-1 began the evolution
in 1947 as an independent squadron and shortly thereafter became
part of MTG-20. Subsequent evolutions were as a unit of Force
Aviation Headquarters Group until 1958, at which time VMT-1 VMT-1
again became a separate squadron of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing,
equipped with the TF-9J "Cougar", and the T-33 "Shooting Star", and
conducted training in swept wing refresher/ transition, instrument
procedures, and instrument ground school.
On 2 July 1967, after exactly nine years of independent training, VMT-1 received its first TA-4F "Skyhawk" and began its transition to the new aircraft. The last F-9 was transferred in December of that year. In December also, the squadron colors of VMT-1 were retired and VMAT-203 was activated in its place as the nucleus of an new marine Training Group, Marine combat Crew readiness Training Group 20, which was activated on 1 April 1968. In May of 1972, the squadron was re-designated VMAT-203. With a new mix of aircraft, the A-4M, and TA-4J, the squadron was tasked to train replacement aircrews to Fleet Marine Force duty. The arrival of V/STOL aviation instituted another era for VMAT-203. The squadron's A-4 "SkyHawks" were retired and VMAT-203 became the AV-8A/C training squadron as part of Marine Aircraft Group 32. In December 1983, the first AV-8B Harrier II was delivered, and until March 1985, VMAT-203 was assigned the dual missions of training both AV-8A/C pilot and AV-8B replacement aircrews. Having trained its last AV-8A/C pilot in March 1985, VMAT-203's exclusive mission then became the training of AV-8B aircrews and maintenance personnel. During the past three years, VMAT-203 has trained more than 130 AV-8B pilots and 2000 AV-8B maintenance personnel. This includes the total conversion of the AV-8A/C a11 attack force and the conversion of a 11 A 4-M squadron's to the AV-8B. During that time period, the squadron has flown over 12,000 flight hours, participated in four deployments for instructor and student training and received the Commandant's Aviation Efficiency Award for 1986. source: VMAT-203 website - - - - - USMC press release - November 3, 2021: CHERRY POINT, North Carolina The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing held a “sundown” deactivation ceremony for Marine Attack Training Squadron (VMAT) 203, Oct. 29, 2021, marking the end of their illustrious Marine Corps service as a Harrier pilot training squadron. As the Marine Corps transitions from the AV-8B Harrier to the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, VMAT-203’s decommissioning is a step toward the future of Marine Corps aviation, and is in accordance with the Commandant of the Marine Corps Force Design 2030. The squadron’s origin dates back to 1947 when it was originally designated as VMT-1. The squadron has trained Marines on a variety of aviation platforms, but was officially tasked with the mission of training Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier pilots in 1983 as VMAT-203. As the Harrier has had multiple variants over the years, the aircraft has consistently been at the forefront during conflicts over the past three decades. “We’re going on 30 plus years of the current model of the current Harrier so it’s coming to the end of its service life,” said U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Daniel Fiust, then commanding officer for VMAT-203. In accordance with the Commandant’s Force Design 2030, VMAT-203 will transition to a Fleet Replacement Detachment assigned to Marine Aircraft Group-14 and will continue training Marines until the Harrier is fully decommissioned, which is scheduled for 2028. “We’ve got a long history of training pilots well, and I think that’s going to continue, so I don’t think there’s any challenges we can’t overcome,” said Fiust. Some AV-8B pilots have already transitioned to the F-35 B aircraft. The F-35 is the newest fifth-generation aircraft with innovative flight technology and lethality for Marine Corps employment, missions with our allies and partners, or combating adversary forces. The sustained performance of the squadron is measured in Fiust’s words, “You bring together a team to accomplish a goal and you work really hard obviously, and you’re in the trenches every day.” To put this into perspective, VMAT-203 trained more than 400 pilots in the past 15 years, flew more than 12,000 flight hours and participated in eight training deployments. |
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