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US Marine Corps - Marine Fighter Attack
Squadron 314 VMFA-314 'Black Knights' |
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 F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - August 2024  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2024  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - May 2024  AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) loading exercise at MCAS Miramar, California - March 2024  cutout  AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) loading exercise at MCAS Miramar, California - March 2024  cutout  AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) loading exercise at MCAS Miramar, California - March 2024  AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) loading exercise at MCAS Miramar, California - March 2024  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2024  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2024  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) Subic Bay International Airport, Philippines - July 13, 2023  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, Australia - June 2023  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) arriving at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, Australia - June 22, 2023  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) during inflight refueling over the Pacific - June 2023  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) during inflight refueling over the Pacific - June 2023  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - December 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - August 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - July 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - July 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - May 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - May 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - May 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - May 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - May 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - May 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - May 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - April 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - April 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - April 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2022  AIM-120 AMRAAM missile load on an F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2022  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - August 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - August 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) at MCAS Miramar, California - July 2021  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Twentynine Palms, California - December 2020  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) at MCAS Miramar, California - November 2020  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) at MCAS Miramar, California - November 2020  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) at MCAS Miramar, California - January 2020  F-35C Lightning II (VMFA-314) at MCAS Miramar, California - January 2020  Marines with VMFA-314 present the colors during a sun down ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, June 21, 2019. The squadron held the ceremony to retire the F/A-18C Hornet from their ranks and introduce the F-35C Lightning II as their new operating aircraft.  F-35C Lightning II and F/A-18A++ Hornet (VMFA-314) over California - June 2019 > continue > VMFA-314 image page 2 < |
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VMFA-314 History: Commissioned on 1 October 1943 at Cherry Point, North Carolina, VMF-314 was assigned to MAG-32 flying the F-4U Corsair and immediately began training for combat in the Pacific. Upon deployment to Midway Island in June of 1944, the squadron was reassigned to MAG-23, 3D MAW. The Squadron moved to Ie Shima in May 1945 to take part in the invasion of Okinawa. During the ensuing campaign, VMF-314 pilots were credited with 14 kills and the squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. At the conclusion of hostilities, VMF-314 moved to Kyushu, Japan as part of the occupation force. In March 1946 the squadron returned to Cherry Point, was re-assigned to MAG-22, 9th MAW and was decommissioned on 30 April 1947. VMF-314 was again commissioned in 1952 at Miami, Florida and was assigned to MAG-31, 3d MAW flying the latest version of the Corsair. That same year, the squadron transitioned to the new F9F Panther. The next three years saw VMF-314 deployed twice, first to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and then to Atsugi, Japan for an eighteen-month tour. In 1955, VMF-314 returned from Japan and was assigned to MAG-15, 3D MAW. In 1957, the squadron received the new F-4D Skyray and was designated VMF(AW)-314. During that same year, the squadron officially became the BLACK KNIGHTS, and deployed throughout the Far East both on land as well as onboard the fast attack carriers USS Hancock and USS Ticonderoga. In 1961, the squadron became the first Marine squadron to transition to the new F-4B Phantom II and was designated VMFA-314. Between 1961 and 1964, the squadron deployed eight times. In 1965, VMFA-314 deployed onboard the USS Valley Forge for combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam. From 1965 to 1970, the BLACK KNIGHTS flew more than 25,000 combat hours out of Chu Lai and Da Nang airfields, and employed more than 100 million pounds of ordnance in support of the Marine rifleman and other Allied ground units. In September of 1970, VMFA-314 ended forty-nine months of deployed combat operations and received the Meritorious Unit Citation for its outstanding performance. In 1982, VMFA-314 received the first of its F/A-18s, becoming the first tactical squadron in the Marine Corps and Navy to employ the Hornet. Later that year, VMFA-314 completed carrier qualification aboard the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Constellation. In 1985, VMFA-314 transferred to Carrier Air Wing 13, and embarked onboard the USS Coral Sea for duty with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. The BLACK KNIGHTS participated in Freedom of Navigation operations in the vicinity of Libya and took part in combat operations in support of Operation El Dorado Canyon in the Gulf of Sidra and in Libya. In 1987, VMFA-314 deployed to Egypt as part of joint exercise Bright Star '87 with the Egyptian Air Force. In 1988, the squadron deployed to Balikesir, Turkey assigned to MAG-50 in support of the NATO Exercise Display Determination. In 1989, VMFA-314 returned to the Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program for the first time since their return from the Republic of Vietnam in 1970. The BLACK KNIGHTS participated in two consecutive Cope Thunder exercises in the Republic of Philippines and deployed throughout the Far East in support of Marine Corps frontline units. The squadron returned to MCAS El Toro in October 1989. In the summer of 1990, while preparing to return to the Western Pacific, the BLACK KNIGHTS were rapidly deployed to the Persian Gulf and were the first Marine F/A-18 squadron to arrive in Bahrain for Operation Desert Shield as part of Marine Air Group 70. For nearly six months the BLACK KNIGHTS maintained 24 hour a day Combat Air Patrols over the Persian Gulf. On 16 January 1991, Operation Desert Shield shifted to Desert Storm. The BLACK KNIGHTS flew over 1,500 hours and 814 combat sorties, more sorties than any other Navy or Marine Corps squadron. The BLACK KNIGHTS returned from the Middle East in March of 1991. In August 1992, VMFA-314 deployed onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. During the deployment the squadron participated in Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the UN "no-fly-zone" in southern Iraq, and in Operation Continue Hope, providing Close Air Support to the 13th and 22nd MEU off the coast of Somalia. In June 1994, VMFA-314 was one of the first MAG-11 squadrons to move from MCAS El Toro to NAS Miramar. In February 1996, the BLACK KNIGHTS received new lot 18 F/A-18C aircraft. In 1997, VMFA-314 transferred to Carrier Air Wing Nine and deployed on an "Around the World" cruise onboard the USS Nimitz. During the deployment, the squadron again participated in Operation Southern Watch. In January of 2000 the squadron deployed aboard the USS John C. Stennis, with Carrier Air Wing Nine, for a six month deployment to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. While in the Gulf, the BLACK KNIGHTS flew contingency operations under combat conditions in support of UN Resolutions, delivering accurate air-to-ground ordnance under hostile fire. The squadron returned to MCAS Miramar in July 2000 and was reassigned to MAG-11. After the attacks on September 11th, 2001, the BLACK KNIGHTS participated in Operation Noble Eagle in Southern California. VMFA-314 deployed on 12 November 2001 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The BLACK KNIGHTS delivered over 69,000 pounds of ordnance in support of U.S. forces on the ground in Afghanistan. In January of 2003, the BLACK KNIGHTS deployed on board the USS Carl Vinson for a 9 month cruise in support of 7th Fleet's mission in the Western Pacific. In January of 2006, the BLACK KNIGHTS transitioned to the Unit Deployment Program and deployed to Iwakuni, Japan for six months where they participated in Exercise Foal Eagle and Northern Edge. In July of 2007, the BLACK KNIGHTS deployed again for six months to Iwakuni, Japan on a Unit Deployment Program. Of these six months, four were spent detached to Kadena AFB in Okinawa, Japan. In March of 2009, the BLACK KNIGHTS deployed to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this deployment, the BLACK KNIGHTS flew over 1,700 combat missions and over 4,600 flight hours during 179 days of sustained combat operations in Al Anbar Province. Squadron Honors include the Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with two Bronze Stars; the Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with four Bronze Stars and the Meritorious Unit Citation Streamer with one Bronze Star. source: USMC - - - - - another history: Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) is a United States Marine Corps Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II squadron. The squadron, known as the "Black Knights", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3d MAW). Their tail code is VW. History: World War II: Marine Fighting Squadron 314 (VMF-314) was commissioned on October 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The squadron was originally given the nickname of, "Bob's Cats". The squadron was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 32 (MAG 32) flying the F4U Corsair and began training immediately for combat in the South Pacific. In February 1944, the squadron, along with VMF-324, was among the first units aboard Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Field Kinston. They left MCAAF Kinston for the Pacific theater and arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on June 18, 1944 and were reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 23, 3rd MAW. From there they deployed to Midway Atoll. VMF-314 returned to MCAS Ewa in December 1944 and remained there until April 1945, when they moved to Ie Shima in May 1945 to take part in the Battle of Okinawa as part of Marine Aircraft Group 22 (MAG-22). During the ensuing campaign, VMF-314 pilots were credited with 11 kills and the squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. After the surrender of Japan, VMF-314 moved to Kyushu, Japan as part of the occupation force. VMF-314 returned to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in November 1945 and in March 1946 they arrived back at MCAS Cherry Point. For a short time they were reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 22 (MAG-22), 9th Marine Aircraft Wing but were decommissioned on April 30, 1947. Postwar years: VMF-314 was recommissioned in 1952 at MCAS Miami, Florida and was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing flying the latest version of the Corsair. That same year, the squadron transitioned to the new F9F Panther. The next three years saw VMF-314 deployed twice, first to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and then to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan for an 18-month tour. VMF-314 earned the Korean Service Medal for operations conducted between September 11, 1953 and July 27, 1954. In 1955, VMF-314 returned from Japan and was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 15, 3rd MAW, now stationed at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. In 1957, the squadron received the new F4D Skyray and was designated VMF(AW)-314. During that same year, the squadron officially became the "Black Knights", was awarded the Commandant’s Aviation Efficiency Trophy. They were briefly deployed to NAF Atsugi, Japan and then throughout the Far East both on land, including Ping-tung, Taiwan in support of the Republic of China against the communist China, as well as on board the fast attack carriers USS Hancock and USS Ticonderoga. In 1961, the squadron became the first Marine squadron to transition to the new F-4B Phantom II and was designated VMFA-314. Between 1961 and 1964, the squadron deployed eight times. These included three separate carrier deployments and a single-flight aerial refueling mission spanning the Pacific Ocean from MCAS El Toro to Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan. Vietnam War: In 1965, VMFA-314 headed off on board USS Valley Forge for combat operations in South Vietnam. From 1965 to 1970, the squadron flew more than 25,000 combat hours out of Chu Lai Air Base and Da Nang Air Base, and employed more than 100 million pounds of ordnance in support of the Marine rifleman and other allied ground units. In 1968, they received the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award. In 1969, VMFA–314 was awarded the Hanson Trophy as the best Fighter Attack Squadron in the Marine Corps. The Commandant's Efficiency Trophy was awarded to the squadron in 1969 and again in 1970. In September 1970, VMFA-314 ended forty-nine months of deployed combat operations and received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its outstanding performance. Post-Vietnam War years: In May 1982, the squadron’s last F-4 was transferred in preparation for transition to the new F/A-18A Hornet. In 1982, VMFA-314 received the first of its F/A-18As, becoming the first tactical squadron in the Marine Corps and Navy to employ the Hornet. In 1985, VMFA-314 transferred to Carrier Air Wing 13 (CVW-13), and embarked on board USS Coral Sea for duty with the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. They participated in Freedom of Navigation operations in the vicinity of Libya and took part in combat operations in support of Operation El Dorado Canyon in the Gulf of Sidra and in Libya. Persian Gulf War and the 1990s: In the summer of 1990, while preparing to return to the Western Pacific, the squadron were rapidly deployed to the Persian Gulf and were the first Marine F/A-18 squadron to arrive in Bahrain for Operation Desert Shield as part of Marine Air Group 70. For nearly six months the "Black Knights" maintained 24-hour-a-day Combat Air Patrols over the Persian Gulf. On 16 January 1991, Operation Desert Shield shifted to Operation Desert Storm. The squadron flew over 1,500 hours and 814 combat sorties, more sorties than any other Navy or Marine Corps squadron. Missions flown during the war included Escort, SEAD, Mig Sweep, and Strike. They returned from the Middle East in March 1991 without the loss of a single squadron member or aircraft. In August 1992, VMFA-314 transferred to Carrier Air Wing 11 and in 1993 deployed to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf on board USS Abraham Lincoln. During the deployment the squadron participated in Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the U.N. “no-fly-zone” in southern Iraq, and in Operation Continue Hope, providing close air support to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) off the coast of Somalia. The squadron returned from cruise in December 1993 and was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11). In June 1994, VMFA-314 was one of the first MAG-11 squadrons to move from MCAS El Toro to MCAS Miramar. In February 1996, the squadron received new lot 18 F/A-18C aircraft. In 1997, VMFA-314 transferred to Carrier Air Wing 9 and deployed on an “Around the World” cruise on board USS Nimitz. During the deployment, the squadron again participated in Operation Southern Watch. In January 2000, the squadron deployed aboard USS John C. Stennis, with Carrier Air Wing Nine, for a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. While in the Gulf, the "Black Knights" flew contingency operations under combat conditions in support of U.N. Resolutions, delivering accurate air-to-ground ordnance under hostile fire. Global War on Terrorism: VMFA-314 was called upon to deploy U.S. Marines and aircraft on board USS John C. Stennis in support of Operation Noble Eagle. The September 11 attacks of 2001 caused the planned deployment on board John C. Stennis to be accelerated by two months. Following a shortened at-sea period for FleetEx, VMFA-314 deployed on November 12, 2001 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The squadron began flying combat sorties on December 18, 2001 and delivered over 69,000 pounds of ordnance in support of U.S. forces on the ground in Afghanistan. Midway into a six-month deployment, VMFA-314 was extended in theater an extra five weeks resulting in a monumental 265 deployed days over a year’s period including a 98-day straight at-sea period. The squadron deployed to the Iraq War in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2009. They were based at Al Asad Airbase and returned in September 2009. F-35 transition: In 2020, VMFA-314 will commence transition to the F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, the first Marine Corps squadron to transition to the carrier (CV) variant. Once transition is complete and the squadron achieves Full Operational Capability in the F-35C, VMFA-314 will integrate and deploy with U.S. Navy carrier air wings aboard Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carriers. On June 21, 2019, the squadron retired the F/A-18A++ and began training on the F-35C. VMFA-314 was the first Marine Corps squadron to transition to the F-35C receiving its first aircraft on January 21, 2020. On January 3, 2022, VMFA-314 departed Naval Base San Diego onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) as part of Carrier Air Wing Nine. VMFA-314 was the first Marine Corps F-35C squadron to deploy on an aircraft carrier. source: wikipedia |
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