Miramar USMC Hornets

Photo credits are listed on each photo. They were supplied by John Bibay.

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  USMC Birthday 2005 

 

MCAS Miramar is located north of downtown San Diego and is the location of the Marine Air Group Eleven (MAG-11), some squadrons from MAG-16, and a Reserve squadron from MAG-46. It is currently home to eight F/A-18 Hornet squadrons, four CH-53 Super Stallion squadrons, CH-46 Sea Knight squadrons, one KC-130 squadron, and a variety of aviation support squadrons. The photo article focuses on the F/A-18 Hornet squadrons.

There are 3 F/A-18C squadrons in MAG-11 – VMFA-232, VMFA-314, and VMFA-323

VMFA-232 RED DEVILS was a long-time resident at MCAS Kaneohe Bay. They relocated to MCAS Miramar in the mid-1990s. In recent years, VMFA-232 was designated a “boat squadron” and deploys with CVW-11.

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Shortly after returning from OIF I, VMFA-232 began the process of integrating into CVW-11. The “301” modex applied on this late-lot F/A-18C reflects that change. This is an example of the early-lot F/A-18Cs that were operated by VMFA-232 prior to becoming a “boat” squadron

VMFA-314 BLACK KNIGHTS was formerly part of CVW-9. VMFA-314 has recently been returned to the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) cycle and is no longer part of CVW-9.

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The “NG” markings and “2XX” modex on this low-vis F/A-18C reflect when VMFA-314 was assigned to CVW-9. The “VW” tail code on illustrated by the “digi-camie” jet has resulted to the squadron also being referred to as “The Volkswagen Squadron.” (Just an aside, the squadron car is not a Volkswagen.)

VMFA-323 DEATH RATTLERS takes the name from incident from when one of their Corsairs flattened a rattlesnake during WW2. Recently VMFA-323 transferred from CVW-2 to CVW-9

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This freshly-repainted color F/A-18C displays the VMFA-323’s “WS” tail code. This low-vis VMFA-323 displays the “NE” tail code for CVW-2 and stencil for the now-decommissioned USS Constellation.

VMFAT-101 SHARPSHOOTERS is the sole F/A-18 Fleet Replacement Squadron in the Marine Corps. Navy aviators as well as Marine aviators pass through the doors of the VMFAT-101 on the way to a fleet Hornet squadron. Marine aviators often are assigned to the Navy’s counterpart, VFA-125 at NAS Lemoore. All models of the legacy Hornet are operated by the Sharpshooters.

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A VMFAT-101 F/A-18C in standard markings at NAS North Island. A folded-wing VMFAT-101 F/A-18D in standard markings. This is the same camo’d F/A-18B from VMFAT-101 that appeared in a Rick Llinares air-to-air shot in a calendar not long ago. A camo’d VMFAT-101 F/A-18C in the Miramar fuel pits.

There are 3 line F/A-18D squadrons in MAG-11 – VMFA(AW)-121, VMFA(AW)-242, and VMFA(AW)-225

VMFA(AW)-121 GREEN KNIGHTS was the first squadron to transition to the F/A-18D and the only F/A-18D squadron to take part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

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At one time, this VMFA(AW)-121 F/A-18D would have been considered a “color jet”. The design of the squadron logo (referred to as “Ralph” by a few) was short-lived and dates this image from mid/late-1990s. This VMFA(AW)-121 ATARS jet illustrates the traditional design.

VMFA(AW)-225 VIKINGS were began as history as VMF-225 at MCAS Mojave during WW2. In observance of their lineage, a marking representing the VMF-225 patch design has been recently been added to the inside tail surfaces on Viking Hornets.

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This image captured the Viking color jet toting a LGB over Baghdad. This image of a low-vis Viking ATARS jet has been edited. This closeup shows off the Viking design and aforementioned VMF-225 patch design.

VMFA(AW)-242 BATS received the “Marine Fighter Squadron of the Year” for 1992 and 1993. The BATS were the first squadron to employ the LITENING pod in combat.

 

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There have been a few different variations for the BATS color jet. This was the black-tail version in June This is an older rendition of the BAT color jet armed with Rockeyes. The Latin phrase inside the tail “Mors Ex Tenebris” translates to “Death From the Darkness”. This low-vis BATS jet has a LITENING pod on the centerline station. The LITENING pod supersedes the Nitehawk laser pod.

VMFA-134 SMOKES was the first Marine Reserve squadron to transition to the F/A-18A. This squadron is part of MAG-46 and has F/A-18As, one F/A-18B and a few F/A-18A+s on-hand.

 

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This F/A-18A was the CO’s jet about a decade ago. Note the false canopy painted on this jet. This is one example of VMFA-134’s camo’d jets about the same time period. The flap is obviously a replacement from another Hornet.

Obviously, a Marine Hornet squadron is not a group of jets with “MARINES” painted on the side. Every Marine squadron is a team made up individual Marines who exhibit Dedication, Bravery, and Sacrifice on a daily basis to keep the jets fueled, armed, flying, and accomplish the mission at-hand.

It had cooled down to only about 80°F for this late afternoon launch during a Combined Arms Exercise (CAX) at the Camp Wilson Expeditionary Airfield (EAF). A group of dedicated Marine Reservists fueled, loaded, armed, and prep’d the jets during the day to have the jets ready

 

Many will recognize this Green Knight color jet from its airshow appearances last year. What many are unaware of is that this jet suffered an in-flight emergency. One day, sparks were observed coming out the port engine on take-off from MCAS Miramar. The crew took the plane out over the water where fire indications for the port engine caused them to shut down the engine. While dumping fuel and headed back to Miramar, fire indicators for the starboard engine began to go off. In preparing to land, the crew found that the arresting hook would not lower. The crew brought the plane safely back to Miramar where the Crash Rescue Fire crews were standing by. The in-flight fire had started in the port engine compartment, burned through the firewall, set off fire indicators in the right engine compartment, and damaged the mechanism to lower the hook. There were stained fastener holes, panel lines, vents, and every other orifice from which the smoke and flame had escaped. The fire damage was so extensive that the engine bay doors had melted and could not be opened in the normal manner. If this incident had occurred on a civilian airliner, I’m certain the evening news would have covered the entire landing and commended the crew for exhibiting bravery and cool professionalism. As it was, there were no reports in the evening news and it was just another day at MCAS Miramar.

 

 

One VMFA-134 F/A-18A and THIS F/A-18B from VMFA-134 collided during training in the Pacific Northwest not too long ago. All three Marines were killed. Marines make sacrifices every day in service to their country such as family separation, endurance of uncomfortable conditions, pay not commensurate to their skills & education, and sadly for some – their lives.

 

 

Whatever their rank or military occupational specialty, the ultimate mission of each Marine is to provide support to the infantryman. With that thought, my closing image is this one of the 1st Marine Division patch that was painted on a VMFA(AW)-225 F/A-18D. The greatest percentage of Americans killed in Operation Iraq Freedom has come from the 1st Marine Division. Lest we forgot those who have died in service to their country.

Happy 230th Marine Corps Birthday to all Marines, former and present. Semper Fi. 

Photos and text © 2005 by John Bibay, Rich Harvey and Captain John "Tank" Voss, USMC