USMC VMF 124 Embordered Patch + Pilots Wings REAL THING --SEE STORE USMC PATCHES For Sale

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USMC VMF 124 Embordered Patch + Pilots Wings REAL THING --SEE STORE USMC PATCHES:
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• Battle of Guadalcanal
• Solomon Islands Campaign
• Philippines Campaign, 1944-45
• Battle of Iwo Jima
• Battle of Okinawa

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 124(VMFA-124) was a flying squadron in theMarine Forces Reservebased out ofNaval Air Station Memphisflying theA-4 Skyhawk. They were part ofMarine Aircraft Group 42and were decommissioned on 19 June 1999. The squadron is best known[citation needed]as the first Marine squadron to fly theF4U CorsairduringWorld War IIand also the first[citation needed]squadron to be based on anaircraft carrier. They were known as the \"Wild Aces\" and endedWorld War IIwith 78air-to-airvictories against Japanese aircraft.

VMF-124 was commissioned on 2 September 1942 atCamp Kearney,San Diego,California.[1]The squadron was declared fully operational on 28 December 1942 even though the squadron’s pilots had only an average of 25 hours each in the plane. -124 arrived onGuadalcanalon the morning of 12 February 1943 led by their commanding officer, Major William Gise. The squadron flew its first mission before lunch that day, with twelve F4Us escorting aPBY Catalinaon a 230 mile mission to pick up two downed pilots at Sandfly Bay,Vella Lavella.[2]

The first F4U pilot to be decorated with theMedal of Honorcame from VMF-124 — 1st LtKenneth A. Walshfor a mission on 30 August 1943, during which he shot down four JapaneseZerosbefore ditching his borrowed Corsair. The squadron remained in theSolomon Islandsuntil September 1943, fighting over theRussell Islands,New GeorgiaandVella Levella.

Following the fighting in the Solomons, the squadron was disbanded and reconstituted back in the United States where it trained in theMojave DesertatMarine Corps Auxiliary Airfield Mojavefor the next year.[3]When they received their orders for carrier assignments they had 5 combat experienced pilots as their training nucleus[4]VMF-124 left the States again on 18 September 1944, heading toHawaii. While in Hawaii they were attached toNavy Air Group 4who were operating off theUSSEssex(CV-9). Along withVMF-213, 124 became the first Marine squadron to be based on an aircraft carrier. While deployed aboard the Essex, they took part in fighting overLingayen,Luzon,Formosa,Tokyo,Iwo JimaandOkinawa. On 3 January 1945 VMF-124 and VMF-213 struck Formosa and theRyukyu Islandsin the first Marine land strike off a carrier.

The squadron was reformed shortly after the war atNaval Air Station Memphisand were equipped with the F4U-4 Corsair. They were the first squadron in the newly formedMarine Air Reserve Training Commandto reach full strength. The squadron was redesignated Marine Attack Squadron 124 (VMA-124) on 1 May 1965 and were subsequently equipped with theA-4 Skyhawk. In 1969, for its two week annual training period, the squadron\'s fourteen A-4Bs supported the Reserve Marine Expeditionary Brigade Landing Exercise. At the time, the exercise was the largest Marine air/ground maneuver exercise ever held in the continental United States.[5]

During the 1970s and 1980s they flew various versions of the A-4 until 1994 when the squadron was moved toNaval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worthand re-designated Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 124 (VMFA-124). The squadron existed as a paper squadron only for two years while awaitingF/A-18 Hornetsthat would never materialize. The squadron existed on paper only until they were finally deactivated on 19 June 1999.[6]

The following members of VMF-124 were credited with at least 5 enemy aircraft shot down during World War II:

• William E. Crowe
• Howard J. Finn
• Wallace E. Sigler
• Kenneth A. Walsh

TheUnited States Marine Corps Aviation(USMCA) is the aircraft arm of theUnited States Marine Corps. Aviation units within the Marine Corps are assigned to support theMarine Air-Ground Task Force, as theaviation combat element, by providing six functions:assault support,antiair warfare,close air support,electronic warfare,control of aircraft and missiles, andaerial reconnaissance.[1]The Corps operatesrotary-wing,tiltrotor, andfixed-wing aircraftmainly to provide transport and close air support to its ground forces. Other aircraft types are also used in a variety of support and special-purpose roles. All Marine Corps aviation falls under the influence of theDeputy Commandant for Aviation, whose job is to advise theCommandant of the Marine Corpsin all matters relating to aviation, especially acquisition of new assets, conversions of current aircraft, maintenance, operation, and command.[2]

Marine Corps aviation officially began on 22 May 1912, when First LieutenantAlfred Austell Cunninghamreported to Naval Aviation Camp inAnnapolis, Maryland, \"for duty in connection with aviation.\"[3]On 20 August 1912, he became the first Marine aviator when he took off in aBurgess Model Hgiven to him by theBurgess CompanyinMarblehead Harbor,Massachusetts.[4]

As the number of Marine Corps pilots grew, so did the desire to separate fromNaval Aviation,[5]an objective realized on 6 January 1914, when First Lieutenant Bernard L. Smith was directed toCulebra, Puerto Rico, to establish the Marine Section of the Navy Flying School. In 1915, the Commandant of the Marine Corps authorized the creation of a Marine Corps aviation company consisting of 10 officers and 40 enlisted men.[6]The MarineAviation Companywas commissioned on 17 February 1917 as the first official Marine flying unit, at thePhiladelphia Navy Yard.[7]

The first major expansion of the Marine Corps\' air component came with America\'s entrance into World War I in 1917. Wartime expansion saw the Aviation Company split into theFirst Aeronautic Companywhich deployed to theAzoresto huntU-boatsin January 1918[8]and theFirst Marine Air Squadronwhich deployed to France as the newly renamed1st Marine Aviation Forcein July 1918[7]and provided bomber and fighter support to the Navy\'s Day Wing,Northern Bombing Group.[6]By the end of the war, several Marine Aviators had recordedair-to-airkills, and collectively they had dropped over fourteen tons of bombs.[5]Their numbers included 282 officers and 2,180 enlisted men operating from 8 squadrons,[9]with Second LieutenantRalph Talbotbeing the first Marine Corps aviator to earn theMedal of Honor, for action against theLuftstreitkräfteair arm ofImperial Germanyon 8 October 1918. In 1919, the 1st Division/Squadron 1 was formed from these units and still exists today asVMA-231.

The end of World War I sawCongressauthorize 1,020 men for Marine Corps aviation and the establishment of permanent air stations atQuantico,Parris IslandandSan Diego.[10]The United States embraced its role of global power, and the Marine Corps became the preferred force for military intervention; where the Marines went, so went Marine Corps aviation. During theBanana Wars, while fighting bandits and insurgents in places likeHaiti, theDominican RepublicandNicaragua, Marine Corps aviators began to experiment with air-ground tactics and making the support of their fellow Marines on the ground their primary mission. It was in Haiti that Marines began to develop the tactic ofdive bombingand in Nicaragua where they began to perfect it. While other nations and services had tried variations of this technique, Marine Corps pilots were the first to embrace it and make it part of their tactical doctrine.[11]Marine Corps aviation in Nicaragua developed the skill of air resupply of outposts dropping bundles fromFokker F.VIItri-motors.[12]Even prior to the events in the Caribbean, pioneering Marine Corps aviators such as Alfred Cunningham had noted in 1920 that, \"...the only excuse for aviation in any service is its usefulness in assisting the troops on the ground to successfully carry out their missions.[13]\"

It was not until 3 May 1925 that the Marine Corps officially appeared in the Navy\'s Aeronautical Organization when Rear AdmiralWilliam A. Moffett, Chief of the Navy\'sBureau of Aeronautics, issued a directive officially authorizing three fighting squadrons.[14]In the 1920s, Marine Corps squadrons began qualifying on boardaircraft carriers. However, in terms of mission and training, the assignment of two Marine scouting squadrons as component units of thePacific Fleetcarriers would be one of the greatest advancements for Marine Corps aviation. Prior to this, Marine Corps squadrons were loosely controlled with regard to doctrine and training. This assignment enabled nearly 60% of active duty aviators at the time to be exposed to a disciplined training syllabus under a clearly defined mission.[15]

The turning point for the long-term survival of Marine Air[16]came with the structural change of the establishment of theFleet Marine Forcein 1933.[17]This shifted Marine doctrine to focus less on expeditionary duty and more on supportingamphibious warfareby seizing advance naval bases in the event of war.[18][19]This also saw the establishment ofAircraft OneandAircraft Twoto replace the oldAircraft Squadron, East CoastandAircraft Squadron, West Coastthat had supported operations in theCaribbeanand China as part of their expeditionary duties.[20]This organization would remain until June 1940 whenCongressauthorized the Marine Corps 1,167 aircraft as part of its10,000 plane programfor the Navy.[20]Just prior, in 1939, theNavy\'s General Boardpublished a new mission for Marine Aviation, which stated: \"Marine Aviation is to be equipped, organized and trained primarily for the support of the Fleet Marine Force in landing operations and in support of troop activities in the field; and secondarily as replacement for carrier based naval aircraft.[21]\" On 7 December 1941, the day of theattack on Pearl Harbor, Marine Corps air units consisted of 13 flying squadrons and 230 aircraft.[19][20]

During World War II, the Marine Corps\' air arm expanded rapidly and extensively.[20]They reached their peak number of units with 5air wings, 31aircraft groupsand 145 flyingsquadrons.[19]During the war, and for the next fifty years, theGuadalcanal campaignwould become a defining point for Marine Aviation. The great takeaways were the debilitating effects of not havingair superiority, the vulnerability of targets such as transport shipping, and the vital importance of quickly acquiring expeditionary airfields during amphibious operations.[22]Because of the way thePacific Warunfolded, Marine Aviation was not able to achieve its 1939 mission of supporting the Fleet Marine Force at first. For the first two years of the war, the air arm spent most of its time protecting the fleet and land-based installations from attacks by enemy ships and aircraft.

This began to change after theBattle of Tarawaas the air support for ground troops flown by Navy pilots left much to be desired. After the battle, GeneralHolland Smithrecommended, \"Marine aviators, thoroughly schooled in the principles of direct air support,\" should do the job.[23]TheNew Georgia campaignsaw the first real close air support provided to Marine ground forces by Marine Air; theBougainville campaignand thecampaign to retake the Philippinessaw the establishment ofair liaison partiesto coordinate air support with the Marines fighting on the ground,[24]and theBattle of Okinawabrought most of it together with the establishment of aviation command and control in the form ofLanding Force Air Support Control Units.[25]

During the course of the war, Marine Aviators were credited with shooting down 2,355 Japanese aircraft while losing 573 of their own aircraft in combat, they had 120acesand earned 11Medals of Honor.[26]Immediately following the war, the strength of the Marine Corps flying arm was drastically cut as part of the post war drawdown of forces. Their active strength fell from 116,628 personnel and 103 squadrons on 31 August 1945 to 14,163 personnel and 21 squadrons on 30 June 1948. They maintained another 30 squadrons in theMarine Air Reserve.[6]Secretary of DefenseLouis A. Johnsonattempted to eliminate Marine Corps aviation by transferring its air assets to other services and even proposed to progressively eliminate the Marine Corps altogether in a series of budget cutbacks and decommissioning of forces.[27]

After World War II, mostpropelleraircraft were gradually phased out asjet aircraftimproved andhelicopterswere developed for use in amphibious operations. The first Marine jet squadron came in November 1947 whenVMF-122fielded theFH Phantom.[28]In December 1950,VMF-311became the first Marine jet squadron used in combat, providing close air support for the Marines and soldiers on the ground, flying theF9F Panther.[29]In February 1957,VMA-214became the first Marine squadron to be certified for \"special weapons delivery\": droppingnuclear weapons.[30]Several others would receive certification,[31]though eventually all nuclear weapons were turned over toNavyandAir Forceresponsibility.

HMX-1, the first Marine helicopter squadron, was commissioned on 1 December 1947.[32]Marine helicopters—VMO-6flying theHO3S1 helicopter—made their combat debut in August 1950 during theBattle of Pusan Perimeter.[33]January 1951 saw the activation ofHMR-161, the world\'s first helicopter transport squadron.[34]

TheKoreanandVietnam warssaw the size of Marine Aviation rebound from its post-WWII lows, emerging as the force that exists today, consisting of four air wings, 20 aircraft groups and 78 flying squadrons. By the end of the Vietnam War, the Marine Air-Ground Task Force had grown dependent on its multi-mission inventory of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, which could operate from land or sea bases to support Marines on the ground.[16]Marine Aviators deployed to the Middle East forOperations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, then toOperation Enduring Freedomin Afghanistan andOperation Iraqi Freedom. 2006 saw Marine Aviation at its highest operational level since the Vietnam War, flying more than 120,000 combat hours in support of operations in and near Afghanistan and Iraq. Despite their aging aircraft and high operating tempo, Marine Aviation maintained a 74.5-percentmission-capable rate.[35]

Since the Corps as a whole began to grow in 2007, Marine Aviation expanded with it and continues to grow.[36]Several new squadrons have been activated, includingVMFAT-501, andVMU-4.[36]Some support units will gain personnel and equipment.[37]The Corps intends to procure 420[38]F-35B/Cs(353 F-35Bs and 67 F-35Cs) to replace allF/A-18 Hornets,AV-8B Harrier IIsandEA-6B Prowlers[39]in thefighter,attack, andelectronic warfare[40]roles. TheMV-22B Ospreyreplaced theCH-46 Sea KnightandCH-53D Sea Stallion. The Corps has transitioned all East Coast CH-46 squadrons to the MV-22, which has made its first combat deployments andMarine expeditionary unitdeployments. TheCH-53E Super Stallionwill be replaced by theCH-53K King Stallion.[41]TheKC-130J Super Herculeswill replace all other C-130 models. As part of theH-1 upgrade program,[42]UH-1N Twin Hueyswere replaced byUH-1Y Venoms,[43]whileAH-1W SuperCobraswere upgraded toAH-1Z Vipers. TheVH-3D Sea Kingsand theVH-60N Blackhawksof HMX-1 are to be replaced by theSikorsky VH-92in theVXX program.[44]Unmanned aerial vehicleprograms will be upgraded in tiers, with theRQ-7 Shadowreplacing theRQ-2 Pioneerand theRQ-11 Raven.[45][46]They have also been in the lead in looking at unmanned helicopters to resupply troops at remote forward operating bases in places such as style=\"margin: 0.5em 0px 1em;\">TheExecutive Secretariatensures integration and increased collaboration with fellow HQMC Deputy Commandants and Staff Agencies.[48]

• TheAircrew Program Section(ACP) administers aircrew performance and suitability boards and oversees Marine aircrews assigned to inter-service and international exchange programs.

• TheAir Support and Coordination Office(ASCO) oversees approval of Marine aircrew waivers and is the subject matter expert on Operational Support Aircraft tasking and flight approvals.
• TheAviation Administration Section\'(AA) provides efficient and timely administrative support to the DC Aviation front office and department branches and manages department Internet Technology (IT) systems and programs.

TheCunningham Groupforms the nucleus of Marine Aviation. Threat informed, the Cunningham Group is responsible for synthesizing existing capabilities with emerging operational concepts and technologies in order to develop a coherent vision of Marine Corps Aviation that delivers relevant, reliable, survivable, and affordable combat power to the Fleet Marine Force commanders. It will do so through close integration with DC CD&I, Service and joint force partners, industry, universities, and research agencies. The output of the Cunningham Group supports future force design initiatives, the AVPLAN, and resourcing decisions.[49]

TheAviation Expeditionary Enablers(AXE) provides the critical enablers that will allow Marine aviation to thrive at sea and in forward, isolated, austere locations while fully integrating into the Naval Expeditionary and Joint Networks. AXE enablers will ensure the MAGTF can perform the six functions of Marine Aviation within the competition continuum against a peer adversary.[50]

TheAviation Sustainment Branch(ASB) sustains and enhances MAGTF Warfighting capabilities. ASB integrates aviation sustainment to deliver the necessary expeditionary capabilities across the functional areas of aircraft maintenance, aviation supply, avionics, aviation ordnance, and aviation information systems, allowing Marine aviation to thrive at sea and in forward, isolated, austere conditions. ASB coordinates across the Naval Aviation Enterprise and Marine Corps Forces to develop, manage, and improve aviation sustainment capabilities, plans, and policies in support of the total lifecycle management of new and existing aviation platforms and supportingequipment. ASB synthesizes and assesses key performance indicators and material readiness trends across these functional areas to drive improvements in material condition, reliability of repairables and increase aircraft readiness. ASB leverages emerging technologies and concepts to enable modernization of our training systems to ensure our Marines keep pace with the complexity of our aircraft.[51]

TheAir Warfare Systems Assault Support(AWS–AS) sustains and enhances MAGTF warfighting capabilities. Marine Assault Support aviation must thrive at sea and in forward, isolated, austere locations while fully integrating into the Naval Expeditionary and Joint Networks. AWS-AS will ensure the MAGTF is able to conduct combat assault support, air delivery, aerial refueling, air evacuation, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, and air logistical support missions within the competition continuum against a peer adversary.[52]

TheAir Warfare Systems TACAIR(AWS-TACAIR) sustains and enhances MAGTF warfighting capabilities. Marine TACAIR must thrive at sea and in forward, isolated, austere locations while fully integrating into the Naval Expeditionary and Joint Networks. AWS-TACAIR will ensure the MAGTF is able to conduct offensive air support, anti-air warfare, electronic warfare and provide multi-sensor aerial, maritime and terrestrial targeting and coordination within the competition continuum against a peer adversary.[53]

TheAir Warfare Systsems Unmanned Aerial Systems(AWS–UAS) sustains and enhances MAGTF warfighting capabilities. Marine unmanned aviation must thrive in forward, isolated, austere locations while fully integrating into the Naval Expeditionary and Joint Networks. AWS-UAS ensures the MAGTF provides multi-sensor aerial, maritime and terrestrial looking early warning; provides identification, tracking, targeting and coordination for offensive air support and ground and ship based long range strike; as well as be inherently strike capable within the competition continuum against a peer adversary.[54]

The basic tactical and administrative unit of United States Marine Corps aviation is thesquadron. Fixed wing and tilt-rotor aircraft squadrons are denoted by the letter \"V\", which comes from the French verb \"Voler\" (to fly). Rotary wing (helicopter) squadrons use \"H.\" Squadrons flying lighter than air vehicles (balloons), which were active from World War I to 1943, were indicated by the letter \"Z\" in naval squadron designation.[55]Marine squadrons are noted by the second letter \"M.\" Squadron numbering is not linear, as some were numbered in ascending order, and others took numbers from the wing or the ship to which they were assigned.[56]From 1920 to 1941, Marine flying squadrons were identified by one digit numbers. This changed on 1 July 1941 when all existing squadrons were redesignated to a three-digit system. The first two numbers were meant to identify the squadron\'s parent group, but with the rapid expansion during the war and frequent transfer of squadrons, this system fell apart.[57]

The next higher level in Marine Aviation is theGroup, the aviation equivalent of a regiment. Groups can be classified as:

• Marine Aircraft Group (MAG): consisting of aMAG Headquarters (MAG HQ), from two to ten fixed-wing, rotary-wing, tilt-rotor, or unmanned aerial vehicle squadrons, aMarine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS), and aMarine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS). The MAG HQ provides the staff support necessary for the effective command of the subordinate squadrons of the MAG, while the MALS provides intermediate aircraft maintenance, aviation supply, and aviation ordnance support to the aircraft squadrons. The MWSS provides all essential aviation ground support to the MAG. This support includes: airfield operations and communications (less air traffic control services), motor transport, engineer services (including bulk fuel and aircraft refueling), non-aviation supply and equipment maintenance, local security, medical services, and food services.
• Marine Air Control Group (MACG): consisting of aMarine Air Control Group Headquarters (MACG HQ), aMarine Tactical Air Command Squadron (MTACS), aMarine Air Control Squadron (MACS), aMarine Air Support Squadron (MASS), aMarine Wing Communications Squadron (MWCS), and aLow Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalion.
• Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG): training element to provide support for aviation students (though it is currently often just an administrative support unit for detachments to non-Marine bases).
• Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG): previously, the ground support element for a Marine Air Wing, usually consisted of four Marine Wing Support Squadrons. The Marine Wing Support Groups were disestablished in 2012, with headquarters personnel and Marine Wing Support Squadrons distributed to the Marine Aircraft Groups.

The largest level in Marine aviation is the Marine AircraftWing, the equivalent of adivision. Wings are usually grouped with aMarine divisionand aMarine Logistics Groupto form aMarine Expeditionary Force. Administratively, Marine aviation is organized into three active duty MAWs and one reserve MAW. MAWs are designed to provide units in support of MAGTF or other operations. Each MAW has a unique organizational structure. The MAW may be reinforced with assets from other MAWs to provide the necessary assets to meet mission requirements. The MAW contains a Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters (MAW HQ), that directs and coordinates the operations of the MAW, a Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron (MWHS) (see:MWHS-1,MWHS-2andMWHS-3), which provides administrative and supply support for the MAW HQ, three or four Marine Aircraft Groups (MAGs), and a Marine Air Control Group (MACG). The mission of the MAW is to conduct air operations in support of the Marine Forces to includeoffensive air support,anti-aircraft warfare,assault support,aerial reconnaissance,electronic warfare, and the control of aircraft and missiles. As a collateral function, the MAW may participate as an integral component ofnaval aviationin the execution of such other Navy functions as the Fleet Commander may direct.

All Marine Corps aviation falls under the cognizance of theDeputy Commandant for Aviation(DCA) atHeadquarters Marine Corps, with the cooperation of theUnited States Navy. There, plans for all aspects of aviation are created and managed, including acquisition of new aircraft, training, maintenance, manpower, etc. HQMCA creates Transitional Task Forces to assist units in transitioning between aircraft and aircraft versions.

The Deputy Commandant of Aviation also commands Marine Corps Detachments atNaval Air Weapons Station China LakeandNaval Air Station Patuxent River. The NAS China Lake Marines are responsible to DCA for the test and evaluation of all weapons and weapon systems and for electronic warfare development. While those at NAS Pax River work withNaval Air Systems Commandand are responsible for developing, acquiring and supporting naval aeronautical and related technology systems for the operating forces.[58][59]

Due to the range and space needed to operate aircraft, each MAW spreads its groups and squadrons amongst several Marine Corps Air Stations (MCAS), as well as offering detachments/liaisons (and occasionally full units) to airports,Air Force BasesandNaval Air Stations. Each MCAS maintains its own base functions as well as air traffic control and facilities (often with aHeadquarters and Headquarters Squadronof its own).

All Marinepilotsandflight officersare trained and qualified asnaval aviatorsornaval flight officersby the Navy. Prospective aviators receive their commissions and attendThe Basic Schooljust as all other Marine officers do, then report toMarine Aviation Training Support Group 21to attend Aviation Preflight Indoctrination atNaval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. There they receive instruction inaerodynamics,aircraft enginesand systems,meteorology,navigation, and flight rules and regulations. Following completion, they are assigned to Primary Flight Training atMarine Aviation Training Support Group 22,Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, or remain in Pensacola, Florida. Upon successful completion of Primary Flight Training, they select which type of aircraft they would like to fly, in accordance with the needs of the Corps.

After selection, student aviators are assigned to Advanced Flight Training in their particular field (strike, multi-engine, rotary, or tilt-rotor). Upon completion, students are designated as Naval Aviators and are awarded theNaval Aviator Insignia. From that point, they are trained at aFleet Replacement Squadronfor the specific aircraft they will be flying. A few uncommon aircraft are taught by theNavyorAir Force, or in the case ofHMX-1, by the company that created the aircraft.[60]After completion, aviators are assigned to their first squadron.

Flight officers, after Aviation Preflight Indoctrination, continue their own training path by staying at Pensacola and training further in navigation andavionics. After Advanced NFO training, they receive theirwingsand are assigned to their first duty squadron. With the F-35 replacing the F/A-18 Hornet by 2030, the Marine Corps is no longer accepting new Naval Flight Officers.

Student RPA pilots are trained by the Air Force and receive their wings after finishing Undergraduate RPA Pilot Training. Next they are assigned to an Air Force IQT squadron for follow on MQ-9A qualifications and then proceed to their first operational squadron.

Enlisted aircrew also serve on some aircraft (mostly helicopters). They are trained at NAS Pensacola and are eligible to wear theAircrew insignia.

Marine aviators are eligible to earn medals such as theDistinguished Flying Crossfor heroism in combat and theAir Medalfor meritorious achievement in flight as well as theGray Eagle Awardfor seniority. Pilots in combat have a chance to becomeflying aces.

Marine light attack helicopter squadrons (HMLA) are composite squadrons ofAH-1Z Viperattack helicopters andUH-1Y Venomutility helicopters. These provide light-attack and light transport utility capabilities. Marine medium tilt-rotor (VMM) squadrons fly theV-22 Osprey, atilt-rotortransport aircraft. Marine heavy helicopter (HMH) squadrons fly theCH-53E Super Stallionhelicopter for heavy-lift missions. These will eventually be replaced with the upgradedCH-53K, currently under development.[61]

Marine attack squadrons (VMA) fly theAV-8 Harrier II; while Marine Fighter-Attack (VMFA) and Marine (All Weather) Fighter-Attack (VMFA(AW)) squadrons, respectively fly both the single-seat (F/A-18C) and dual-seat (F/A-18D) versions of theF/A-18 Hornetstrike-fighter aircraft. The AV-8B is aVTOLaircraft that can operate fromamphibious assault ships, land air bases and short, expeditionary airfields.[62]The F/A-18 can only be flown from land or aircraft carriers. Both are slated to be replaced by theF-35B, theSTOVLversion of theF-35 Lightning II.[63]The Marine Corps will also purchase 80 of theF-35Ccarrier variants, enough for five squadrons, to serve with Navycarrier air wings.[64][65][66]The Corps operates its own aerial refueling assets in the form of theKC-130J Super Hercules. In Marine transport refueling (VMGR) squadrons, the Hercules doubles as a ground refueller and tactical-airlift transport aircraft.

With the addition of the ISR / Weapon Mission Kit, theKC-130Jwill be able to serve as anoverwatchaircraft and can deliver ground support fire in the form of30mm cannon fire,HellfireorGriffinmissiles, andprecision-guided bombs.[35][67]This capability, designated as \"Harvest HAWK\" (Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit), can be used in scenarios where precision is not a requisite, such asarea denial,[68][69][70]and was first used in Afghanistan in late 2010.[71]Serving in Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare (VMAQ) Squadrons until its retirement in 2019, theEA-6B Prowlerwas the main tactical electronic warfare aircraft left in the U.S. inventory, until Navy squadrons replaced it with theEA-18G Growler.

Based on the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, the Growler has been labeled a \"national asset\" and is frequently borrowed to assist in any American combat action, not just Marine operations.[72]Since the retirement of theEF-111A Ravenin 1998, the Air Force\'s only EW aircraft, Marine Corps and Navy aircraft have provided electronic warfare support to Air Force units.

Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 (VMFT-401) operates F-5 Tiger II aircraft in support of air combat adversary (aggressor) training. Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) operates theVH-3D Sea Kingmedium-lift andVH-60N Nighthawklight-lift helicopters in the VIP transport role, previously planned to be replaced by the cancelledVH-71 Kestrel. Marine Transport Squadron One (VMR-1) utilizes several aircraft to transport VIPs and critical logistics, to include theUC-35C/D Citation Ultra/Encore,C-12B/F Huron, andC-20G Gulfstream IV. A single Marine Corps C-130J \"Fat Albert,\" is used to support the U.S. Navy\'s flight demonstration team, the \"Blue Angels\".

• An F-35B hovering over the USS America
• An F/A-18C ofVMFA-232
• The AH-1Z is the latest variant of theBell AH-1 Cobraattack helicopter series
• An MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft

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