VMFA(AW)-224

Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 (VMFA(AW)-224) is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Also known as the "Fighting Bengals", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). The Bengals are the only Marine F/A-18D Hornet Squadron currently operating out of MCAS Beaufort.

Mission
Support the Marine Air–Ground Task Force commander by providing supporting arms coordination, conducting multi-sensor imagery, and destroying surface targets and enemy aircraft day or night; under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations.

World War II
Marine Fighter Squadron 224 (VMF-224) was commissioned on 1 May 1942 at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa Hawaii. During this time the squadron flew both Brewster F2A Buffalos and Grumman F4F Wildcats out of Naval Air Station Barbers Point. In the spring, a ten-plane detachment from the squadron was sent to Barking Sands at the northern tip of Kauai to patrol against possible Japanese raids. On 14 August 1942, the planes and pilots of VMF-224 departed Hawaii onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (AKV-1). VMF-224 was part of the 2nd echelon of Marine Aircraft Group 23 to depart Hawaii. The Kitty Hawk arrived at Port Vila, Efate, New Hebrides on 28 August. The ship moored alongside the escort carrier USS Long Island (CVE-1) and transferred 40 aircraft. VMF-224 aircraft catapulted from the Long Island on 30 August 1942 arriving at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal in the middle of a Japanese air raid. The squadron saw its first combat on 2 September, when it assisted with intercepting a 40 plane raid. During this engagement, the squadron commanding officer, Maj Robert Galer, was credited with destroying two Japanese aircraft. The squadron was credited with destroying 60.5 Japanese aircraft in less than two months. The squadron also conducted close air support (CAS) missions while under constant attack from Japanese naval, air, and ground forces. VMF-224 contributed significantly to the American victory during the Guadalcanal Campaign, which in turn, helped stem the tide of the Japanese advance across the Southern Pacific and secured a crucial foothold in the long island-hopping campaign against Japan.



After Guadalcanal, the squadron was refitted with the Vought F4U Corsair and participated in the Marshall Islands Campaign. The spring of 1945 found VMF-224 participating in the last great battle of the Pacific Campaign. During the Battle of Okinawa the squadron operated initially from Yomitan and then from 1 July from Chimu Airfield. Throughout the struggle for Okinawa, the Bengals flew infantry support and counter air missions accounting for an additional fifty-five enemy aircraft being destroyed.

1950s - 1970s
The squadron entered the jet era in 1951 with the acceptance of the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee. In 1952, after completing a Mediterranean Cruise aboard the USS Roosevelt, the squadron accepted the Grumman F9F Panther, and was re-designated Marine Attack Squadron 224 (VMA-224).



On 29 September 1956, the squadron became the first Marine unit to field the Douglas A4D Skyhawk aircraft. In 1965, the Bengals deployed to South Vietnam as part of the United States' buildup during the Vietnam War. For nearly a year the Bengals operated their "Scooters" from the expeditionary field at Chu Lai. On 1 November 1966, the squadron acquired the Grumman A-6 Intruder and was re-designated as Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224 (VMA(AW)-224). In 1971, the Bengals deployed to the South China Sea aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). As part of Carrier Air Wing 15, the squadron completed six line periods on Yankee Station and participated in numerous operations including the historic Operation Pocket Money mining of Hai Phong Harbor.

The Gulf War & the 1990s


The Bengals deployed to Southwest Asia, on 28 August 1990. Operating from Shaikh-Isa Air Base, Bahrain the squadron participated in Operation Desert Shield. From 16 January, to 28 February 1991, the Bengals participated in Operation Desert Storm, expending more than 2.3 million pounds of ordnance during 422 combat sorties.

Shortly after their return to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, on 24 May 1992, the Bengals celebrated their 50th anniversary. Less than a year later on 5 March 1993, the squadron was re-designated VMFA(AW)-224 and moved to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina where the Bengals received the multi-mission F/A-18D Hornet. From April to September 1994 the Bengals deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, as part of the United Nations force for Operation Deny Flight and Operation Provide Promise in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The squadron flew 1150 sorties for 3485 flight hours including 1150 night hours. The Marines of VMFA(AW)-224 again deployed to Aviano in September 1995, as part of NATO Operation Deliberate Force and Operation Joint Endeavor.

Global War on Terror
On 11 January 2005, VMFA(AW)-224 deployed to Al Asad Airbase, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). While in support of OIF, the Bengals employed 65,225 lbs. of ordnance and flew over 2500 sorties and 7000 hours in direct support of USMC, U.S. Army and Coalition ground units.

On 7 May 2021, VMFA(AW)-224 deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia for Dynamic Force Employment (DFE) in support of withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve.

2010 crash
On 12 March 2010 an F/A-18D Hornet from the squadron crashed 35 mi off the coast of Saint Helena Sound north of Beaufort due to an engine fire. The pilot and Weapons Systems Officer were able to safely eject.

2015 Crash
On 22 February 2015 an F/A-18D crashed in wooded and swampy terrain, near Statenville, Georgia, while conducting low-altitude tactics training. Both the pilot and weapon systems officer were able to safely eject and were treated for minor injuries.