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US Marine Corps - Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533
VMFA(AW)-533 / VMFA-533 'Hawks'
 
vmfa(aw)-533 hawks insignia crest patch badge marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 02x vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet mcas beaufort 102x
09/24
STATUS:   established as VMF(N)-533 on October 1, 1943
VMF(N)-533 redesignated VMF(AW)-533 on November 9, 1948
VMF(AW)-533 redesignated VMF-533 on July 1, 1953
VMF-533 redesignated VMA-533 on July 1, 1957
VMA-533 redesignated VMA(AW)-533 on July 1, 1965
VMA(AW)-533 redesignated VMFA(AW)-533 on October 1, 1992
VMFA(AW)-533 redesignated VMFA-533 in 2023
 
ACTIVE UNIT
Homebase: MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
Tailcode: ED
Motto: IN HOC SIGNO VINCES (in this sign thou shalt conquer)
 AIRCRAFT:   McDonnell F2H-4 Banshee
Grumman F9F-8 Cougar
Grumman A-6A/E Intruder
McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II
 DEPLOYMENTS:   from 1992 - various shore based deployments at:
Aviano Air Base, Italy
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait
Al Asad Air Base, Iraq
 
images 


will transition to F-35B Lighting II aircraft 2023-24


vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet final flight mcas beaufort 2023 141
VMFA(AW)-533 final flight with F/A-18C/D Hornets at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - June 2, 2023

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet final flight mcas beaufort south carolina 139
VMFA(AW)-533 final flight with F/A-18C/D Hornets at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - June 2, 2023

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet final flight 2023 137
VMFA(AW)-533 final flight with F/A-18C/D Hornets at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - June 2, 2023

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet mcas beaufort final flight 138
VMFA(AW)-533 final flight with F/A-18C/D Hornets at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - June 2, 2023

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron final flight mcas beaufort 2023 140
VMFA(AW)-533 final flight with F/A-18C/D Hornets at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - June 2, 2023

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet returning mcas beaufort 2022 136
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) returning to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina after an Unit Deployment Program in Japan - October 18, 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18c hornet mcas iwakuni japan udp 133
F/A-18C Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron unit deployment program iwakuni japan 134
F/A-18C Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18c hornet mcas iwakuni 131
F/A-18C Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet mcas iwakuni japan 2022 130
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet udp mcas iwakuni 2022 129
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet mag-31 iwakuni 132
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet aim-9 sidewinder missile 135
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet mcas iwakuni 127
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet luu-2 parachute illumination flare 128
cutout: note the LUU-2 parachute illumination flares

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18c hornet luu-2 parachute flare 126
F/A-18C Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2022

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - July 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet mcas iwakuni 2022 125
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - July 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet agm-84d harpoon missile 123
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533), loaded with an AGM-84D Harpoon missile for a SINKEX during Exercise Valiant Shield - Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet agm-84 harpoon missile sinkex valiant shield 2022
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533), loaded with an AGM-84D Harpoon missile for a SINKEX during Exercise Valiant Shield - Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet andersen afb guam 118
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet andersen afb guam valiant shield 2022 113
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet andersen afb guam 2022 119
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18c hornet andersen afb guam 111
F/A-18C Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet night operations andersen afb 115
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18c hornet andersen afb guam 121
F/A-18C Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

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F/A-18C Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - June 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet aerial refueling 108
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) operating from Andersen AFB, Guam - May 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18c hornet aerial refueling 2022 109
F/A-18C Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) operating from Andersen AFB, Guam - May 2022

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F/A-18C Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) operating from Andersen AFB, Guam - May 2022

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) operating from Andersen AFB, Guam - May 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet special livery pinting 105
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - May 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18c hornet mcas iwakuni japan 2022 103
F/A-18C Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - May 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet mcas iwakuni 104
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - May 2022

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F/A-18D+C Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - May 2022

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) during aerial refueling over Japanese waters - April 2022

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - March 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet cockpit view 99
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - March 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet aim-120 amraam missile 100
AIM-120 AMRAAM missile loading exercise at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - March 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron f/a-18d hornet agm-84d harpoon missile 97
AGM-84D Harpoon missile loading exercise at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - March 2022

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 90 exercise red flag nellis afb nevada
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) during Exercise Red Flag at Nellis AFB, Nevada - August 2021

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 87 mcas beaufort south carolina
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - June 2021

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 88 bomb loading mcas beaufort
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - June 2021

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - June 2021

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 81 mcas iwakuni japan
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2020

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 82 mcas iwakuni
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2020

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 83 iwakuni japan
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2020

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2020

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2020

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 85 mcas iwakuni japan
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2020

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2020

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 79
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - September 2020

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 78 mcas beaufort
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - June 2020

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 77 aim-9 sidewinder sam missile
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - March 2020

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 77a cockpit view
cutout

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 75 mcagcc twentynine palms
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 62 mcagcc 29 palms california
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 64 mcagcc twentynine palms california
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 65 twentynine palms
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 68
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 67
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 70
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 63
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 72
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 74
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 76
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 66
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 73
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 69
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 71
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 61
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California - July 2019

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 57 andersen afb guam
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - September 2018

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 59 andersen afb guam
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - September 2018

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 60
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - September 2018

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 58
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Andersen AFB, Guam - September 2018

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 54 mcb hawaii kaneohe bay
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay - June 2018

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 52 kaneohe bay usmc
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay - June 2018

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 56
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay - June 2018

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 55
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay - June 2018

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 53
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay - June 2018

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 51 gwangju air base korea
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Gwangju Air Base, South Korea - May 2018

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 50 gwangju korea
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Gwangju Air Base, South Korea - May 2018

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 49
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - September 2017

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 48 exercise jaded thunder salina kansas
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) during Exercise Jaded Thunder at Salina Airport, Kansas - February 2017

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 47 mcas beaufort south carolina
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - January 2017

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 43 centcom aor
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 39 centcom aor
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 40
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 42
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 41
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 38
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - October 2016

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 96 inflight refueling
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) during inflight refueling with a KC-130J Hercules (VMGR-352) - October 2016

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - June 2016

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - June 2016

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - June 2016

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - June 2016

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 37
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - June 2016

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - June 2016

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - June 2016

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 30 night operations
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) - CENTCOM AOR - June 2016

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 29 exercise cobra gold
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) during Exercise Cobra Gold - February 2015

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 26 mcas futenma japan
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan - January 2015

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) over Okinawa, Japan - January 2015

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 28 refueling okinawa
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) over Okinawa, Japan - January 2015

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 23 osan air base korea
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Osan Air Base, Korea - October 2014

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 23a cockpit view
cutout

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 22 osan air base korea
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Osan Air Base, Korea - October 2014

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Osan Air Base, Korea - October 2014

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Osan Air Base, Korea - October 2014

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 20 exercise valiant shield
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) during Exercise Valiant Shield at Andersen AFB, Guam - September 2014

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 21 andersen afb guam
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) during Exercise Valiant Shield at Andersen AFB, Guam - September 2014

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 19 special painting
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) in special paintings at Andersen AFB, Guam - September 2014

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 95 exercise valiant shield
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) during Exercise Valiant Shield - September 2014

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 18 mcas beaufort
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - September 2014

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - August 2014

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 16 eglin afb florida
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) over Eglin AFB, Florida - January 2012

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Eglin AFB, Florida - January 2012

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 13 kadena air base okinawa japan
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan - June 2011

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 12 kadena air base jasdf
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan - June 2011

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan - June 2011

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 11 mcas beaufort
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - February 2010

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 10 al asad air base iraq
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq - July 2006

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 09 al asad iraq
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq - July 2006

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 07 change of command mcas beaufort
change of command ceremony at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - May 2004

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 08
change of command ceremony at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina - May 2004

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 04 mcas beaufort south carolina
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) returning to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina after a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom - May 2003

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 05 operation iraqi freedom
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) returning to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina after a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom - May 2003

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 03
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) returning to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina after a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom - May 2003

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 06
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) returning to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina after a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom - May 2003

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 02 exercise tandem thrust australia
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) during Exercise Tandem Thrust - Australia - May 2001

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) during Exercise Beachcrest - December 1998

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 93 nas fallon nevada
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at NAS Fallon, Nevada - June 1993

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F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at NAS Fallon, Nevada - June 1993

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 91 naf washington andrews
F/A-18D Hornet (VMFA(AW)-533) at NAF Washington (Andrews), Maryland - April 1993



VMA(AW)-533 Hawks
1965-92

vma(aw)-533 hawks marine attack squadron all weather usmc a-6e intruder 11 naf washington andrews
Grumman A-6E Intruder (VMA(AW)-533) at NAF Washington (Andrews), Maryland - May 1991

vma(aw)-533 hawks marine attack squadron all weather usmc a-6e intruder 10 nas fallon nevada
Grumman A-6E Intruder (VMA(AW)-533) at NAS Fallon, Nevada - March 1988

vma(aw)-533 hawks marine attack squadron all weather usmc a-6e intruder 07 uss john f. kennedy cv-67 cvw-3
Grumman A-6E Intruder (VMA(AW)-533 / CVW-3) aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - March 1986

vma(aw)-533 hawks marine attack squadron all weather usmc a-6e intruder 09 uss john f. kennedy cv-67
Grumman A-6E Intruder (VMA(AW)-533 / CVW-3) aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - March 1986

vma(aw)-533 hawks marine attack squadron all weather usmc a-6e intruder 08
Grumman A-6E Intruder (VMA(AW)-533 / CVW-3) aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - March 1986

vma(aw)-533 hawks marine attack squadron all weather usmc a-6e intruder 06
Grumman A-6E Intruder (VMA(AW)-533) - 1982

vma(aw)-533 hawks marine attack squadron all weather usmc a-6e intruder 05 mcas cherry point north carolina
Grumman A-6E Intruder (VMA(AW)-533) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - April 1979

vma(aw)-533 hawks marine attack squadron all weather usmc a-6e intruder 04 mcas cherry point
Grumman A-6E Intruder (VMA(AW)-533) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - April 1979

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Grumman A-6E Intruder (VMA(AW)-533) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina - April 1979

vma(aw)-533 hawks marine attack squadron all weather usmc a-6e intruder 02 uss america cv-66
Grumman A-6E Intruder (VMA(AW)-533) aboard USS America (CV 66) - 1978


vma(aw)-533 hawks marine attack squadron all weather usmc a-6a intruder bombing cambodia
Grumman A-6A Intruder (VMA(AW)-533) with F-4 Phantoms during a bombing mission over Cambodia - circa 1973

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Grumman A-6A Intruder (VMA(AW)-533) - Vietnam War



VMA-533 Hawks
1957-65

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Douglas A-4C Skyhawks (VMA-533) during inflight refueling - 1960's

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Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawks (VMA-533) during inflight refueling with an USMC Lockheed GV-1 Hercules (C-130F) - March 1961



VMF-533 Nighthawks
1953-57

vmf-533 nighthawks marine fighter squadron usmc f2h-4 banshee uss lake champlain cva-39 atg-182 04
McDonnell F2H-4 Banshee (VMF-533 / ATG-182) embarked on USS Lake Champlain (CVA 39) - 1957

vmf-533 nighthawks marine fighter squadron usmc f2h-4 banshee uss lake champlain cva-39 atg-182 03
McDonnell F2H-4 Banshee (VMF-533 / ATG-182) aboard USS Lake Champlain (CVA 39) - 1957

vmf-533 marine fighter squadron f2h-4 banshee cvg-4 cva-60 uss saratoga 1956
McDonnell F2H-4 Banshees (VMF-533 / CVG-4) aboard USS Saratoga (CVA 60) - 1956

vmf-533 nighthawks marine fighter squadron usmc f2h-4 banshee uss franklin d. roosevelt cva-42 02
McDonnell F2H-4 Banshee (VMF-533) aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) - 1956
 
 
VMFA(AW)-533 began its history on 1 October, 1943. On this date, Marine Night Fighter Squadron 533 (VMF(N)-533) was commissioned at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. One of three night fighter squadrons to be activated in the Marine Corps, the squadron was initially outfitted with the Grumman F6F-3N Hellcat, equipped with AI radar sets. VMF(N)-533 later upgraded to the Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat with the APS-3 radar set in the fall of 1944. After a full one year deployment to Engebi in the Marshall Islands, the squadron moved to Yontan Airfield, Okinawa in May 1945. By doing so they completed the longest over water flight by a single engine aircraft of the war. Before hostilities ended in the Pacific, 533 would distinguish itself by claiming the most aerial victories of any night fighter squadron as well as the first night fighter ace, Capt Robert Baird. In October 1945, the squadron moved to Peiping, China and soon transitioned to its next airframe, the Grumman F7F-3N Tigercat. The Hawks soon moved to Hawaii before finally settling back in the U.S. at Cherry Point in January 1947. 533 would spend the Korean conflict there as well, training Tigercat aircrew for night combat overseas.

533 entered the jet age in May 1953 with its acquisition of the F2H-A4 Banshee. They saw several carrier deployments in the ensuing years, followed by another transition to the F9F Cougar in 1957. Yet another change was soon to follow as the squadron received the A-4D Skyhawk in 1959, and with it a redesignation to Marine Attack Squadron 533 (VMA-533). The next change was to come in 1965 when the Hawks received the A-6A Intruder, giving them an all weather capability and the appropriate change in title, VMA(AW)-533.

Soon after transitioning to the A-6, 533 deployed to Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam to support combat operations. They remained there from 1967 to 1969, then redeploying to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. All told, VMA(AW)-533 accumulated over 10,000 combat sorties in these busy years, garnering them the Commandant’s Aviation Efficiency Trophy. This would not be the last time that the Hawks would see combat over Southeast Asia. They returned to service over Vietnam in 1972, deploying for a year to Nam Phong, Thailand. They were soon flying mission over Cambodia and Laos, as well. They returned to Iwakuni in August 1973, and then to Cherry Point in November 1975, where they received their first A-6E the following year.

In April of 1980, VMA(AW)-533 returned to Iwakuni, becoming the first all weather attack squadron to participate in the new Unit Deployment Program (UDP). Throughout the 1980s the squadron deployed, both to Japan and later for several carrier cruises aboard the USS Saratoga and USS John F. Kennedy. The last deployment for the Hawks proved to be longer, as the UDP that began in April 1990 ended and the squadron continued to Bahrain in December 1990 for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Following participation in those hostilities, VMA(AW)-533 returned home after an “around the world” deployment that lasted eleven and a half months.

1 September 1992 brought many changes to 533, most notably a change to the new F/A-18D Hornet, and with this its newest and current designation, and a move to MCAS Beaufort SC. This made them the first all weather fighter attack squadron in 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Soon to follow were countless new training opportunities as the squadron developed and refined new techniques and procedures to match the more capable platform. These techniques would soon be put to the test when VMFA(AW)-533 was deployed to Aviano Air Base in July 1993. They returned three times over the next five years, flying a wide variety of missions to support NATO operations. Following their first UDP in Hornets in 1999, 533 returned one last time to Eastern Europe, this time operating from Taszar AB, Hungary.

Next for the squadron was yet another UDP, from January 2001 to July 2001. Of great tactical significance was the work that the squadron did with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (MEU (SOC)). The Hawks became the first land based fixed wing squadron to successfully a MEU (SOC) afloat, executing an island-hopping campaign throughout the Pacific that would take them to airfields not seen by US forces since World War II. Soon, preparations were underway for the next UDP in January 2003. But as that date drew near, VMFA(AW)-533 received word that the squadron would instead deploy to the CENTCOM AOR supporting Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom, arriving at Al-Jaber Air Base 11 February 2003. On 20 March coalition forces began the ground offensive with support from the squadron’s Hornets. While operating around the clock, the squadron expended over 800,000 pounds of ordnance, flying 558 sorties and 1440 flight hours. For their outstanding support of the successful campaign against the Iraqi regime, the Hawks were awarded another Presidential Unit Citation.

After their safe return, the Hawks continued to train, focusing on air-to-ground skills at Combined Arms Exercises in California in January and February 2004. Soon enough the squadron was once again on the move, spending the latter half of 2004 in various locations around the Pacific for its most recent UDP.

In February 2006 the Hawks deployed to Al Asad Air Base in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. The squadron was assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in support of 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. The Hawks employed the F/A-18D with the Litening II FLIR/TV pod in a myriad of roles which included reconnaissance, surveillance, convoy escort, close-air support, strike missions, forward air controller airborne (FAC(A)) and tactical air controller airborne (TAC(A)). While once again operating around the clock, the squadron expended over 110,000 pounds of ordnance, flying 2480 sorties and 7456 flight hours.

source: USMC

- - - - -

another history:

World War II:
On October 1, 1943, Marine Night Fighter Squadron 533 (VMF(N)-533) was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Originally known as "Black Mac's Killers", after their first commanding officer Major Marion M. Magruder, they were one of three night fighter squadrons to be activated in the Marine Corps and were outfitted with the Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat, equipped with the APS-6 radar. The squadron left for the West Coast in early April and on April 16, they embarked on board the USS Long Island (CVE-1) headed for the South Pacific. In May 1944, the squadron conducted their final training on the F6F aboard Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii and then headed for Eniwetok. On June 12 they relieved VMF(N)-532 and assumed night defense responsibilities for the area. On November 30 they moved to Engebi and continued operations.

On May 7, 1945, with only two days notice, the squadron of 15 F6F Hellcat planes took off from Engebi with R5C escorts and flew to Saipan, a total of 1,004 nautical miles (1,859 km). This was the longest flight ever over water by a squadron in single engine military aircraft. Each plane had a 150-gallon belly tank, and the squadron had to travel at the speed of the slowest plane.

The squadron moved to Yontan Airfield, Okinawa in May 1945 and finally settled on Ie Shima on June 15, 1945. Between May 14 and June 29, 533 would claim shooting down 30 Japanese planes - by radar, at night - without one operational loss. This was a night fighter record for enemy planes shot down by a single squadron. They also had the first night fighter ace, Capt Robert Baird. The first F7F-2N Tigercat for the squadron arrived on Okinawa the day before the end of the war so it did not see combat. In October 1945, the squadron moved to Peiping, China for occupation duty and completed their transition to the new Tigercat. The Hawks soon moved to Hawaii before finally settling back in the U.S. at MCAS Cherry Point in January 1947. 533 would spend the Korean War there as well, training Tigercat aircrew for night combat overseas.

1950s - 1960s:
VMF-533 entered the jet age in May 1953 with its acquisition of the F2H-4 Banshee. They saw several carrier deployments in the ensuing years, followed by another transition to the F9F Cougar in 1957. Yet another change was soon to follow as the squadron received the A4D Skyhawk in 1959, and with it a redesignation to Marine Attack Squadron 533 (VMA-533). The next change was to come in 1965 when the Hawks received the A-6A Intruder, giving them an all-weather capability and the appropriate change in title, VMA(AW)-533.

Vietnam War:
Soon after transitioning to the A-6, VMA(AW)533 deployed to Chu Lai Air Base, Republic of Vietnam to support combat operations. They remained there from 1967 to 1969, then redeploying to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. All told, VMA(AW)-533 accumulated over 10,000 combat sorties in these busy years, garnering them the Commandant’s Aviation Efficiency Trophy. In one noted incident, on October 25, 1967, three A-6A Intruders from VMA(AW)-533 attacked the Phuc Yen Air Base outside of Hanoi and the action was so intense all three pilots were awarded the Navy Cross. These pilots were among the few aviators to receive Navy Crosses awarded to fixed wing pilots during the Vietnam War.

This would not be the last time that the Hawks would see combat over Southeast Asia. They returned to service over Vietnam in 1972, deploying for a year to Royal Thai Air Base Nam Phong, Thailand. They were soon flying mission over Cambodia and Laos, as well. They returned to MCAS Iwakuni in September 1973, and then to MCAS Cherry Point in November 1975, where they received their first A-6E the following year.

Gulf War & the 1990s:
The squadron deployed to Bahrain in December 1990 for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Following participation in those hostilities, VMA(AW)-533 returned home after an “around the world” deployment that lasted eleven and a half months.

September 1, 1992 brought many changes to 533, most notably a change to the new F/A-18D Hornet, and with this its newest and current designation, and a move to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. This made them the first all-weather fighter attack squadron in 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. These techniques would soon be put to the test when VMFA(AW)-533 was deployed to Aviano Air Base in July 1993. They returned three times over the next five years, flying a wide variety of missions to support NATO operations. In 1999, the squadron supported Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia from Taszar Air Base Hungary and flew 111 combat sorties during the conflict. After the cease-fire of June 11, 1999, the Hawks flew an additional 82 combat sorties to ensure Serb compliance with the withdrawal from Kosovo.

Global War on Terror:
The squadron deployed to the Kuwait supporting Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom, arriving at Al-Jaber Air Base on February 11, 2003. On March 20, coalition forces began the ground offensive with support from the squadron’s Hornets. While operating around the clock, the squadron expended over 800,000 pounds of ordnance, flying 558 sorties and 1440 flight hours. For their support of the successful campaign against the Iraqi regime, the Hawks were awarded another Presidential Unit Citation. In the Spring of 2006 they redeployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In February 2008 the squadron deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program in which they were the first east coast squadron to deploy straight from MCAS Beaufort directly to Yecheon Air Base, South Korea. In September 2008 the squadron returned to MCAS Beaufort. Summer of 2009, and March-October’s of 2014, and 2018 the squadron deployed to MCAS Iwakuni to take part in the Unit Deployment Program. During their 2009 UDP, they provided real-time imagery and reconnaissance during relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Ketsana. In 2014 and specifically 2018 the focus was in the Korea Area of Operations as tensions were heightened throughout the Pacific.

source: wikipedia
 
patches + more

vmfa(aw)-533 hawks insignia crest patch badge marine fighter attack squadron usmc f/a-18d hornet 02c
 
 
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