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VMFA(AW)-121
Encyclopedia
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA(AW)-121) is a United States Marine Corps
F/A-18 Hornet
squadron. The squadron 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
(3rd MAW).
Marine Fighting Squadron 121 (VMF-121) was activated on June 24, 1941. The Green Knights began combat operations flying the F4F Wildcat
and later the F4U Corsair
as charter members of the Cactus Air Force
and throughout the Battle of Guadalcanal. The squadron also fought from the forward air bases of Espirito Santo
, Turtle Bay
, Bougainville
, and Emirau. On September 15, 1944, the Green Knights landed on Peleliu
and fought there until July 25, 1945. They returned to the United States on board the USS Lookout (YAGR-2)
to be deactivated on September 9, 1945. During the Pacific War
, VMF-121 produced fourteen fighter ace
s, more than any other squadron, including Medal of Honor
recipient, Major Joseph J. Foss
. VMF-121 downed 208 Japanese aircraft (165 flying Wildcats and another 44 flying Corsairs) in aerial combat
.
After WWII, the squadron was reactivated at United States and Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois
where the squadron's designation was changed to Marine Attack Squadron 121 (VMA-121). During this time they flew a variety of aircraft including the F4U Corsair
, F8F Bearcat
and A-1 Skyraider
.
, California
. After completion of training in the Skyraider, the Squadron was transported aboard the carrier USS Sikko Bay to Yokosuka, Japan to begin final preparations for a combat deployment to the Republic of Korea. In June 1953 they also set a then Marine record for a single day's ordnance delivery when 16 AD-2 Skyraiders
dropped 156 tons of bombs during the attack on the Sui-ho Dam
.
VMA-121 deployed to K-6 Airfield at Pyongtaek, Republic of Korea on October 19, 1951 and conducted their first strike on October 27. Their mission was to conduct strike missions in support of infantry operations. The squadron dropped more bomb tonnage during the Korean War
than any other Navy or Marine Corps squadron, devastating enemy airfields, supply dumps, bridges, and railroad yards.
During the Korean War the Squadron insignia depicted Al Capp's "WolfGirl" from the comic strip L'il Abner. The "Wolf Raiders" of VMA-121 remained in South Korea for several years after the s:Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953. Returning to MCAS El Toro in 1957, the squadron assumed its role in the Unit Deployment Program with scheduled rotations to Japan and traded in its AD Skyraider aircraft and joined the jet age with the F9F-8B
. The Cougar equipped with the LABS system for loft bombing, was the first aircraft flown by the squadron capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
In late 1958, the Squadron traded the Cougars for brand new A-4 Skyhawk
s. Spending most of the next year at the likes of NAS Fallon, MCAS Yuma, and China Lake, the "Green Knights" became the first squadron to complete the entire special weapons delivery syllabus. During November 1962, the "Green Knights" deployed their new A-4s to NAS Cecil Field on the coast of Florida
in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis
.
and newly designated VMA(AW)-121 to reflect the Squadron's transition to the all weather attack mission with the Grumman A-6 Intruder
. The Green Knights were now capable of acquiring and destroying surface targets in any weather, day or night, with a wide variety of ordnance. The Green Knights were assigned at MCAS El Toro in the early 1980's.
Returning to El Toro following the cessation of hostilities, the Green Knights returned to the unit deployment rotation and relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
, California during August 1994. The Green Knights made three deployments to the Western Pacific before returning to combat over Iraq
in March 2000. The squadron flew 287 sorties in support of Operation Southern Watch
while based at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base
, Kuwait.
, followed by the remaining six aircraft and personnel a month later. The squadron flew more than 900 combat sorties over Afghanistan
in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, returning to MCAS Miramar in October 2002.
Only 3 months after returning from Kyrgyzstan, the Green Knights deployed to Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait
. From February to May 2003, the squadron flew more than 750 combat sorties over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch
and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and returned to MCAS Miramar on May 12.
In March 2005, the squadron deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. The squadron returned to MCAS Miramar on September 15, 2005.
In February 2007, the squardron deployed to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.
The squadron deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program
to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
, Japan from September 2008 to March 2009, and from March 2010 to September 2010.
Recently, an F/A-18D from VMFA(AW)-121 crashed into the Pacific Ocean approximately 85 miles southwest of San Diego. Both pilot and WSO ejected safely.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
F/A-18 Hornet
F/A-18 Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets . Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and...
squadron. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar , formerly Naval Air Station Miramar is a United States Marine Corps installation that is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is the aviation element of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11
Marine Aircraft Group 11
Marine Aircraft Group 11 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently composed of three F/A-18C squadrons, three F/A-18D squadrons, one fleet readiness squadron, one KC-130 tactical aerial refueling squadron and a maintenance and...
(MAG-11) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force...
(3rd MAW).
World War II
F4F Wildcat
The Grumman F4F Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter aircraft that began service with both the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy in 1940...
and later the F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
as charter members of the Cactus Air Force
Cactus Air Force
Cactus Air Force refers to the ensemble of Allied air power assigned to the island of Guadalcanal from August 1942 until December 1942 during the early stages of the Guadalcanal Campaign, particularly those operating from Henderson Field...
and throughout the Battle of Guadalcanal. The squadron also fought from the forward air bases of Espirito Santo
Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo is one of the states of southeastern Brazil, often referred to by the abbreviation "ES". Its capital is Vitória and the largest city is Vila Velha. The name of the state means literally "holy spirit" after the Holy Ghost of Christianity...
, Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay may refer to:*Turtle Bay, Manhattan, a neighborhood in New York City*Turtle Bay , a bay in the Houtman Abrolhos island chain in Western Australia*Turtle Bay Exploration Park, California*A bay within the Caneel Bay resort on St...
, Bougainville
Bougainville Island
Bougainville Island is the main island of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea. This region is also known as Bougainville Province or the North Solomons. The population of the province is 175,160 , which includes the adjacent island of Buka and assorted outlying islands...
, and Emirau. On September 15, 1944, the Green Knights landed on Peleliu
Peleliu
Peleliu is an island in the island nation of Palau. Peleliu forms, along with two small islands to its northeast, one of the sixteen states of Palau. It is located northeast of Angaur and southwest of Koror....
and fought there until July 25, 1945. They returned to the United States on board the USS Lookout (YAGR-2)
USS Lookout (YAGR-2)
USS Lookout was a Guardian-class radar picket ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1954. She was reconfigured as a radar picket ship and assigned to radar picket duty in the North Atlantic Ocean as part of the Distant Early Warning Line....
to be deactivated on September 9, 1945. During the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
, VMF-121 produced fourteen fighter ace
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
s, more than any other squadron, including Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient, Major Joseph J. Foss
Joe Foss
Joseph Jacob "Joe" Foss was the leading fighter ace of the United States Marine Corps during World War II and a 1943 recipient of the Medal of Honor, recognizing his role in the air combat during the Guadalcanal Campaign...
. VMF-121 downed 208 Japanese aircraft (165 flying Wildcats and another 44 flying Corsairs) in aerial combat
Dogfight
A dogfight, or dog fight, is a form of aerial combat between fighter aircraft; in particular, combat of maneuver at short range, where each side is aware of the other's presence. Dogfighting first appeared during World War I, shortly after the invention of the airplane...
.
After WWII, the squadron was reactivated at United States and Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois
Glenview, Cook County, Illinois
Glenview is a suburban village located approximately north of downtown Chicago in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 41,847...
where the squadron's designation was changed to Marine Attack Squadron 121 (VMA-121). During this time they flew a variety of aircraft including the F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
, F8F Bearcat
F8F Bearcat
The Grumman F8F Bearcat was an American single-engine naval fighter aircraft of the 1940s. It went on to serve into the mid-20th century in the United States Navy and other air forces, and would be the company's final piston engined fighter aircraft...
and A-1 Skyraider
A-1 Skyraider
The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s. It became a piston-powered, propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed "Spad", after a French World War I fighter...
.
Korean War
In mid 1951, VMA-121 received orders to activate its reserve members and departed Glenview, Illinois for Marine Corps Air Station El ToroMarine Corps Air Station El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located near Irvine, California.Before it was decommissioned in 1999, it was the home of Marine Corps aviation on the West Coast. Designated as a Master Jet Station, its four runways could handle the largest aircraft...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. After completion of training in the Skyraider, the Squadron was transported aboard the carrier USS Sikko Bay to Yokosuka, Japan to begin final preparations for a combat deployment to the Republic of Korea. In June 1953 they also set a then Marine record for a single day's ordnance delivery when 16 AD-2 Skyraiders
A-1 Skyraider
The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s. It became a piston-powered, propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed "Spad", after a French World War I fighter...
dropped 156 tons of bombs during the attack on the Sui-ho Dam
Attack on the Sui-ho Dam
The attack on the Sui-ho Dam was the collective name for a large series of air attacks by United Nations Command air forces on thirteen hydroelectric generating facilities that took place June 23 and June 24, 1952, during the Korean War...
.
VMA-121 deployed to K-6 Airfield at Pyongtaek, Republic of Korea on October 19, 1951 and conducted their first strike on October 27. Their mission was to conduct strike missions in support of infantry operations. The squadron dropped more bomb tonnage during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
than any other Navy or Marine Corps squadron, devastating enemy airfields, supply dumps, bridges, and railroad yards.
During the Korean War the Squadron insignia depicted Al Capp's "WolfGirl" from the comic strip L'il Abner. The "Wolf Raiders" of VMA-121 remained in South Korea for several years after the s:Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953. Returning to MCAS El Toro in 1957, the squadron assumed its role in the Unit Deployment Program with scheduled rotations to Japan and traded in its AD Skyraider aircraft and joined the jet age with the F9F-8B
F9F Cougar
The Grumman F9F/F-9 Cougar was an aircraft carrier-based fighter aircraft for the United States Navy. Based on the earlier Grumman F9F Panther, the Cougar replaced the Panther's straight wing with a more modern swept wing...
. The Cougar equipped with the LABS system for loft bombing, was the first aircraft flown by the squadron capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
In late 1958, the Squadron traded the Cougars for brand new A-4 Skyhawk
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
s. Spending most of the next year at the likes of NAS Fallon, MCAS Yuma, and China Lake, the "Green Knights" became the first squadron to complete the entire special weapons delivery syllabus. During November 1962, the "Green Knights" deployed their new A-4s to NAS Cecil Field on the coast of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
.
Vietnam War
In August, 1966, the Green Knights ferried their Skyhawks to Chu Lai Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. After six months of combat operations, the Squadron rotated back to Iwakuni, Japan and Naha Air Base, Okinawa before returning to Chu-Lai for another combat tour in 1968. During the first six months of that deployment, VMA-121 supported 118 major operations. In early 1969 the Squadron was reconstituted at MCAS Cherry Point, North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and newly designated VMA(AW)-121 to reflect the Squadron's transition to the all weather attack mission with the Grumman A-6 Intruder
A-6 Intruder
The Grumman A-6 Intruder was an American, twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider...
. The Green Knights were now capable of acquiring and destroying surface targets in any weather, day or night, with a wide variety of ordnance. The Green Knights were assigned at MCAS El Toro in the early 1980's.
The Gulf War & the 1990s
On December 8, 1989 the Squadron was redesignated as VMFA(AW)-121, becoming the first Marine Corps F/A-18D Night Attack Hornet Squadron. Slightly over one year later, the Squadron deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm. During the Desert Storm Air Campaign, the Squadron flew 557 sorties and 1,655.5 combat hours (more than any other Navy or Marine Corps tactical jet squadron).Returning to El Toro following the cessation of hostilities, the Green Knights returned to the unit deployment rotation and relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar , formerly Naval Air Station Miramar is a United States Marine Corps installation that is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is the aviation element of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force...
, California during August 1994. The Green Knights made three deployments to the Western Pacific before returning to combat over Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in March 2000. The squadron flew 287 sorties in support of Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
while based at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base
Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base
Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base is a Kuwait Air Force installation with part designated for operations by the U.S. Air Force and its allies.Sitting 75 miles south of the Iraqi border, the base has supported active duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve A-10 and F-16 fighter units, along...
, Kuwait.
Global War on Terror and beyond
In April 2002, the squadron deployed with six aircraft to KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan , officially the Kyrgyz Republic is one of the world's six independent Turkic states . Located in Central Asia, landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east...
, followed by the remaining six aircraft and personnel a month later. The squadron flew more than 900 combat sorties over Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, returning to MCAS Miramar in October 2002.
Only 3 months after returning from Kyrgyzstan, the Green Knights deployed to Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. From February to May 2003, the squadron flew more than 750 combat sorties over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and returned to MCAS Miramar on May 12.
In March 2005, the squadron deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. The squadron returned to MCAS Miramar on September 15, 2005.
In February 2007, the squardron deployed to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.
The squadron deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program
Unit Deployment Program
To reduce the number of unaccompanied tours and improve unit continuity, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, established the Unit Deployment Program to provide for the deployment of units to the Western Pacific for periods of approximately six months...
to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni or MCAS Iwakuni is a United States Marine Corps air station located in the Nishiki river delta, southeast of the Iwakuni Station in the city of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi in Japan.-Tenant commands:...
, Japan from September 2008 to March 2009, and from March 2010 to September 2010.
Recently, an F/A-18D from VMFA(AW)-121 crashed into the Pacific Ocean approximately 85 miles southwest of San Diego. Both pilot and WSO ejected safely.
See also
- List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
- United States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps Aviation is the air component of the United States Marine Corps. Marine aviation has a very different mission and operation than its ground counterpart, and thus, has many of its own histories, traditions, terms, and procedures....