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US Marine Corps - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
225 VMFA-225 'Vikings' |
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 F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - September 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - August 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - August 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - July 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - July 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - July 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - July 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - June 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - April 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - April 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - March 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - January 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - January 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - January 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - January 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - January 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - January 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - January 2024  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - December 2023  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - December 2023  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - December 2023  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - December 2023  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - November 2023  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) - October 2023  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - September 2023  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - September 2023  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) - April 2022  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) - April 2022  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) - March 2022  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) at Gowen Field ANGB, Boise, Idaho - January 2022  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) at Gowen Field ANGB, Boise, Idaho - January 2022  F-35B Lightning II (VMFA-225) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - September 2021 |
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Marine Fighting Squadron 225 (VMF-225)
was established on 1 January 1943 at MCAS Mojave, California, flying
the Vought F4U-1 Corsair. The squadron entered WWII in October of
1943 when they embarked aboard the USS Nassau (CVE-16) and relocated
to Ewa, Hawaii, flying missions in defense of the island. In March
of 1944 the squadron departed Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Long
Island (CVE-1) for Espiritu Santo for air defense missions over the
New Hebrides. In June the squadron was relocated to Eniwetok and the
Marshalls, and was later rerouted aboard the USS Santee (CVE-29) to
Orote Field, Guam in the Marianas as part of Operation Forager, only
a week after the allied invasion of the island in August of 1944.
There, VMF-225 was heavily engaged in close air support missions
across the island as the allies advanced to regain control, flew
strike missions against Rota and Pagan Island to the North, and
participated in air defense missions where it was accredited with
one air-to-air kill, the shoot-down of a Jill bomber in January
1945. Leaving Agana Field in May of 1945, VMF-225 returned to MCAS
Mojave, California, and began carrier training in preparation for
Operation Olympic and the invasion of Japan. Following V-J Day (14 Aug 1945), the squadron was ordered to MCAS Santa Barbara, California where it was based until January 1946. Then it joined the USS Mindoro (CVE-120) and left it's aircraft behind, relocating to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina via the Panama Canal. In April, VMF-225 again began flying F4U-4 Corsairs, and for a short time added several Grumman F6F-5P Hellcats, participating in training missions at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and later re-organizing for carrier operations. In August, 1946, VMF-225 was selected to represent the Corps at the National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio, flying aerial demonstrations during the same period that the Navy Blue Angels were being formed. In April 1947, the squadron was transferred for a short assignment with the USS Palau (CVE-122), and in June to the USS Siboney (CVE-112). VMF-225 was re-designated Marine Fighter Squadron 225 on 1 September, 1947. In July 1948 aboard the USS Siboney, the squadron executed a cruise to the Mediterranean, Europe, and the Middle East, and conducted other cruises to the region aboard the USS Midway (CVB-41) in January 1949 and the USS Leyte (CV-32) in September 1949. In early 1950 the Chief of Naval Operations initiated plans to disestablish the squadron, but when the North Korean People's Army invaded the south in June of 1950, VMF-225's future was secured. The squadron deployed again to the Mediterranean aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42) in January 1951, and for the last time again aboard the USS Midway (CVB-41) in January 1952, which brought the squadron's career as a carrier-based fighter squadron to a close. VMF-225 was re-designated Marine Attack Squadron 225 (VMA-225) on 17 June 1952 and moved to MCAF Edenton, North Carolina. There the squadron began flying the AU-1 Corsair and shifted training to interdiction missions. The squadron transitioned to the AD-5 Skyraider in December 1953, added AD-4Bs to its inventory in early 1955, and made two deployments to NAS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. In May 1958, the "Fighting Eagles" transitioned to the A-4B Skyhawk and in October moved back to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. There VMA-225 continued attack training, and deployed to the Mediterranean aboard the USS Essex (CVA-9) in August 1959. VMA-225 transitioned to the A-4C in March 1960 and again deployed to Mediterranean aboard the USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) in February 1961 and the USS Intrepid (CVA-11) in 1962. VMA-225 became the first Marine squadron to deploy and conduct night operations aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), spending the last three months of 1962 aboard the "Big E" during the Cuban Missile crisis. The squadron deployed again to the Mediterranean aboard the USS Shangri-La in October 1963. In September 1964, the squadron received orders to Japan, and in June 1965 the "Vagabonds" moved to the newly constructed base at Chu Lai (SATS/EAF) for participation in combat operations against Viet Cong forces in South Vietnam. VMA-225 returned to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina in October 1965 and in April 1966 they transitioned to the Grumman built A-6A Intruder. With the addition of an all weather capability, the squadron was re-designated VMA(AW)-225 and adopted the "Vikings" as their official mascot sporting the colors of Carolina blue and gold. In January 1969, VMA(AW)-225 deployed to Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam to provide close air and deep air support for allied ground forces in the I Corp area of South Vietnam. In February 1970, the squadron flew missions in support of Lam Som 719, the cross border assault of enemy sanctuaries in Laos (Barrel Roll) and later continued air interdiction mission (Commando Bolt) on enemy supply routes along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Southwest Asia. During May 1971, VMA(AW)-225 returned to MCAS El Toro, California, and the squadron was dis-established on June 15, 1972. The "Vikings" of VMFA(AW)-225 were established on 1 July 1991, at MCAS El Toro, California, flying the F/A-18D Hornet. The Vikings supported the Marine Corps' Unit Deployment Program (UDP), deploying to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan for six-month periods, beginning in March of 1993. Overseas exercises included tours in Korea, Thailand, Okinawa, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Alaska. In March of 1995, the Vikings relocated to their new home at MCAS Miramar, California. Additional unit deployments occurred in September of 1995, March of 1996, September 1997, and in March of 2000, with a deployment to Al Jaber, Kuwait for combat operations during Operation Southern Watch (OSW) in March 2001. In March of 2002, the Vikings returned to UDP and retraced the steps of Marines during WWII through the South Pacific Islands of Iwo Jima and Peleliu, and put the first fighters back on Tarawa, Guadalcanal, and Vanuatu at Bauer Field in more than 60 years. The Vikings returned to Al Jaber, Kuwait for OSW and combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) from Jan to May of 2003. They re-entered the UDP cycle in March 2004 and September 2005, and then returned again to Counterinsurgency Operations during OIF, this time operating from Al Asad, Iraq from August 2007 to March 2008. The Vikings returned to UDP in May 2009, September 2010, and July 2012. Following their return from the Western Pacific, the Vikings deployed in September 2013 in support of contingency operations in the Middle East. Returning home in April 2014, the Vikings transitioned again to the UDP cycle, deploying to the Western Pacific in March 2015 and September 2016. During the September 2016 UDP, the Vikings participated in exercise COPE WEST in Manado, Indonesia, the first U.S. fighter squadron to conduct operations there in 19 years. The Vikings executed their final deployment as an F/A-18D Hornet squadron by again supporting the Unit Deployment Program in September 2018. In 2019, the Commandant directed that Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 report C-5 status NLT 1 October 2019, relinquish the F/A 18D Hornet platform, and be redesignated as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 under Marine Aircraft Group 13 in Yuma, AZ, flying the F-35B Lightning II. They flew their last Hornet flight on 23 January 2020 and stand ready to commence F-35B operations in 2021. VMFA(AW)-225's awarded honors include the Presidential Unit Citation Streamer (Vietnam & Iraq), Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with Three Bronze Stars (Vietnam), Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with Two Bronze Stars (Vietnam, Operation Southern Watch), Marine Corps Expeditionary Streamer, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Streamer with One Bronze Star, World War II Victory Streamer, Navy Occupation Service Streamer with "Europe", National Defense Service Streamer with Three Bronze Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer, Vietnam Service Streamer with One Silver and Two Bronze Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Streamer, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer, and Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer. source: USMC - - - - - another history: Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (All-Weather) 225 (VMFA(AW)-225) was a United States Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet fighter attack squadron. The squadron, known as the "Vikings", was based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3d MAW). World War II: Marine Fighting Squadron 225 (VMF-225) was commissioned January 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, California. From August 1944 to January 1945, the F4U Corsairs of VMF-225 participated in numerous combat operations in the New Hebrides Islands. Returning to the United States in February 1945, VMF-225 was eventually stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, with interim basing at MCAAS Mojave, California; MCAS Santa Ana, California; and MCAS Edenton, North Carolina. Vietnam War: In the early 1960s the squadron had been trained for "special weapons" delivery. This meant they were certified to deliver nuclear weapons On June 1, 1965, skyhawks from VMA-225 were the first tactical fixed-wing aircraft to land at Chu Lai Air Base for participation in combat operations against Viet Cong forces in South Vietnam. Several hours after landing, Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Baker, VMA-225 Commanding Officer, lead the first combat mission from the base striking the enemy six miles to the north. VMA-225 returned to MCAS Cherry Point in October 1965. In April 1966 the Grumman built A-6 Intruder replaced the A-4 Skyhawk as the squadron's combat ready aircraft. With the advent of the Intruder and its all weather capability, the squadron was redesignated VMA(AW)-225. While stationed at MCAS Cherry Point, VMA(AW)-225 provided air support for units of the 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. The squadron also deployed several times to MCAS Yuma, Arizona, for live weapons training. In January 1969, VMA(AW)-225 deployed to Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam. The primary mission of Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 225 was to provide close air support and direct air support for ground elements for allied forces in the I Corp area of South Vietnam. The squadron attacked and destroyed surface targets day and night, and in all weather conditions. A secondary mission was to utilize the Intruder's unique search radar Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) features in the interdiction of trucks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Southeast Asia. During May 1971, VMA(AW)-225 returned to MCAS El Toro, California, and the squadron was deactivated on June 15, 1972. The Gulf War & the 1990s: The squadron was reactivated on July 1, 1991, at MCAS El Toro, California, and redesignated as Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 (VMFA(AW)-225). The Global War on Terror: VMFA(AW)-225 was the first Marine Corps fighter squadron deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron was deployed in January 2003 from its home base at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, CA to Ahmed Al Jabar Air Base in Kuwait. From Kuwait, the "Vikings" took part in Operation Southern Watch, assisting the US Air Force in patrolling the Southern No-Fly-Zone set up by the United Nations in Iraq. In March 2003, VMFA(AW)-225 began flying combat sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Joining 225 were other members of Marine Aircraft Group 11.VMFA (AW)-225 also deployed in support of OIF in 2007-2008 at Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq. VMFA(AW)-225 was redesignated VMFA-225 in 2019 flying the F-35B Lightning II. source: wikipedia |
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