While other nations have
Marines who are aviators, only the
United States Marine Corps has its own dedicated aviation arm. The following is a
list of all of the
inactive squadrons that have existed since the beginning of Marine Corps aviation. Most squadrons have changed names and designations many times over the years so they are listed by their final designation.
Squadron designations
The basic tactical and administrative unit of United States Marine Corps aviation is the squadron. Fixed-wing aircraft squadrons (heavier than air) are denoted by the letter "V", which comes from the French verb "Voler" (to fly). Rotary wing (helicopter) squadrons use "H." Marine squadrons are always 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. From 1920 to 1941, Marine flying squadrons were identified by one digit numbers. This changed on July 1, 1941 when all existing squadrons were redesignated to a three-digit system. The first two numbers were supposed to identify the squadrons parent group but with the rapid expansion during the war and frequent transfer of squadrons this system fell apart.
Inactive squadrons
Squadrons are listed by their designation at the time they were decommissioned.
Pre-World War II squadrons
Following World War I, Marine aviation was significantly reduced. Many of the squadrons were renamed and redesignated numerous times and many still exist today with other designations. The squadrons listed below reflect those squadrons that were deactivated prior to World War II and were never reconstituted in any form.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
VP-3M
Marine Patrol Squadron 3
|
|
| 1931 |
VO-6M
Marine Observation Squadron 6
|
| Hell Divers
| 1932 |
VO-10M
Marine Observation Squadron 10
|
|
| April 1, 1931 |
VS-14M
Marine Scouting Squadron 14
|
|
| July 1, 1933 |
VS-15M
Marine Scouting Squadron 15
|
|
| July 1, 1933 |
ZK-1M
1st Marine Barrage Balloon Squadron
|
|
| December, 1929 |
Marine Reserve Scouting Squadrons
The Marine Aviation Reserve was inactive from 1918 through 1928. When reconstituted the names and aircraft used by these squadrons changed frequently but their home duty stations remained constant. The aircraft for these squadrons were assigned to the reserve bases themselves and were shared with co-located
Navy Reserve squadrons. The squadrons were absorbed into the
1st and
2nd Marine Aircraft Wings and their identities lost when they were mobilized in December 1940.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Location
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMS-1R
|
|
| Boston, Massachusetts
| December, 1940 |
| VMS-2R
|
|
| Brooklyn, New York
| December 1940 |
| VMS-3R
|
|
| Anacostia, D.C.
| December, 1940 |
| VMS-4R
|
|
| Miami, Florida
| December 1940 |
| VMS-5R
|
| Black Knights
| Grosse Ile, Michigan
| December, 1940 |
| VMS-6R
|
|
| Minneapolis, Minnesota
| December, 1940 |
| VMS-7R
|
|
| Long Beach, California
| December 1940 |
| VMS-8R
|
|
| Oakland, California
| December, 1940 |
| VMS-9R
|
|
| Seattle, Washington
| December 1940 |
| VMS-10R
|
|
| Kansas City, Kansas
| December, 1940 |
| VMS-11R
|
|
| Brooklyn, New York
| December, 1940
|
Marine Barrage Balloon Squadrons
Squadrons flying lighter than air vehicles (balloons), were indicated by the letter Z in naval squadron designation. The first use of balloons by the Marine Corps was during World War I when they were used for
artillery spotting. After the outbreak of World War II, the Navy authorized the Marine Corps to create
barrage balloon squadrons for the air defense of advanced naval bases. Balloon training was cancelled in the summer of 1943 and the remaining units were deactivated by the end of the year.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| ZMQ-1
|
|
| December 15, 1943 |
| ZMQ-2
|
|
| August 21, 1942 |
| ZMQ-3
|
|
| December 9, 1943 |
| ZMQ-4
|
|
| February 20, 1943 |
| ZMQ-5
|
|
| December 5, 1943 |
| ZMQ-6
|
|
| December 8, 1943 |
Marine Scout Bombing Squadrons
Scout bombing squadrons each had eighteen to twenty-four
SBD Dauntless dive bombers and were tasked with conducting
dive-bombing attacks and long range scouting and patrol missions. They also provided
close air support, laid
smoke screens and sprayed
DDT around bases. The majority of these squadrons were quickly deactivated following the end of World War II although three entered the
Marine Air Reserve for a short period.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMSB-243
|
| Flying Goldbricks
| September 25, 1945 |
| VMSB-244
|
| Bombing Banshees
| |
| VMSB-245
|
| Red Mousie
| November 17, 1945 |
| VMSB-342
|
| Bats from Hell
| October 10, 1944 |
| VMSB-343
|
| Gregory’s Gorillas
| June 10, 1946 |
| VMSB-344
|
|
| October 10, 1944 |
| VMSB-474
|
|
| September 10, 1945 |
| VMSB-484
|
|
| September 10, 1945 |
|
|
Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadrons
VMTBs were
torpedo bomber squadrons that operated the
TBF Avenger. They were in service with the Marine Corps during World War II and were deactivated shortly after the war. They were part of the
Cactus Air Force on
Guadalcanal, served on
escort carriers during the
campaign to retake the Philippines and provided
close air support for
Australian forces on
Borneo and Marines during the
Battle of Okinawa.
Marine Fighting Squadrons
Marine Fighting Squadrons were multirole squadrons responsible for
air-to-air combat,
combat air patrols, attacking enemy shipping, escorting bombers and
close air support. By far the most numerous of any type of Marine Corps squadron, they first made their mark flying the
F4F Wildcat as part of the Cactus Air Force on
Guadalcanal and finished
World War II flying the venerable
F4U Corsair. Many VMF squadrons continued to operate after the war with most in the
Marine Air Reserve; however, with the retirement of the
F-8 Crusader the VMF squadrons either became VMFAs or were deactivated.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMF-111
|
| Devil Dogs
| October 22, 1965 |
| VMF-113
|
| Whistling Devils
| October 22, 1965 |
| VMF(AW)-114
|
| Death Dealers
| July 1, 1963 |
| VMF-123
|
| Eight Balls
| Late 1950s |
| VMF-141
|
|
| |
| VMF-155
|
| Ready Teddys
| October 15, 1945 |
| VMF-213
|
| Hell Hawks
| mid-1970 |
| VMF-215
|
| Fighting Corsairs
| January 30, 1970 |
| VMF-216
|
| Bull Dogs
| March 10, 1945 |
| VMF-218
|
| Hellions
| early 1960s |
| VMF-221
|
| Fighting Falcons
| June, 1959 |
| VMF-222
|
| Flying Deuces
| December 31, 1949 |
| VMF-313
|
| Lily Packin’ Hellbirds
| 1950s |
| VMF-413
|
| Shamrocks
| January 1963 |
| VMF-422
|
| Flying Buccaneers
| June 30, 1947 |
| VMF-441
|
| Blackjacks
| June, 1959 |
| VMF-452
|
| Sky Raiders
| December 31, 1949 |
| VMF-471
|
|
| September 10, 1945 |
| VMF-472
|
| Flying Seahorses
| December 24, 1945 |
|
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMF-481
|
|
| September 10, 1945 |
| VMF-482
|
|
| October 10, 1944 |
| VMF-511
|
|
| August 31, 1972 |
| VMF-512
|
|
| March 10, 1946 |
| VMF-514
|
| The Whistling Death
| December 9, 1945 |
| VMF-521
|
|
| September 10, 1945 |
| VMF-522
|
|
| September 10, 1945 |
| VMF-523
|
|
| October 15, 1945 |
| VMF-524
|
|
| October 15, 1945 |
| VMF-541
|
| The Bat Eyes
| early 1960s |
| VMF-911
|
| Devilcats
| March 15, 1946 |
| VMF-912
|
|
| March 15, 1946 |
| VMF-913
|
|
| January 1946 |
| VMF-914
|
|
| January 31, 1946 |
| VMF-921
|
|
| October 10, 1944 |
| VMF-922
|
|
| October 10, 1944 |
| VMF-923
|
|
| October 10, 1944 |
| VMF-924
|
|
| October 10, 1944 |
|
Marine Night Fighter Squadrons
After witnessing the
Royal Air Force's success using radar directed fighters at night in 1941, the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics authorized eight Marine night fighter squadrons to be formed by 1945. This timeline was brought forward considerably after the attack on Pearl Harbor and their need proven by the frustration of the Cactus Air Force's pilots not being able to engage
Japanese bombers at night during the Battle of Guadalcanal. This led to the formation of the first VMF(N) in November 1942. After much deliberation the
PV-1 Ventura was picked as the first choice of aircraft for these squadrons. The night fighting squadrons featured radar equipped aircraft, ground based radar and personnel that provided
Ground-controlled interception (GCI). The VMF(N) designated squadrons were deactivated after the war as the night fighting mission was assumed by the fighter and attack communities.
Marine Bombing Squadrons
The Marine Bombing Squadrons were formed during
World War II to fill the need for a long range, land based bomber that could be used against enemy shipping and submarines. In the
Pacific Theater, the squadrons served ashore as a garrison air force to attack bypassed Japanese bases and other installations. The VMBs flew the
PBJ-1, which was the naval version of the
B-25 Mitchell. Sixteen of these squadrons were commissioned with seven serving in combat, four never able to leave the U.S. due to the war ending and four others converted to VMTB squadrons. The seven PBJ squadrons that saw combat in the Pacific suffered the loss of 45 aircraft, 26 in combat and 19 in non-combat operations, and 173 crew, 62 officers and 111 enlisted men.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMB-423
|
| Seahorses
| November 30, 1945 |
| VMB-433
|
| Fork-Tailed Devils
| November 30, 1945 |
| VMB-443
|
|
| November 30, 1945 |
| VMB-453
|
|
| March 20, 1946 |
| VMB-473
|
|
| March 20, 1946 |
| VMB-483
|
|
| March 15, 1945 |
| VMB-611
|
| Black Seahorse
| November 30, 1945 |
| VMB-612
|
| Cram's Rams
| March 15, 1946 |
| VMB-613
|
|
| November 21, 1945 |
| VMB-614
|
| Ruptured Ducks
| December 28, 1945 |
Marine Operational Training Squadrons
All of these squadrons were activated at
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,
North Carolina in February 1945 as
medium bomber pilot training units. They instructed Marines learning to fly the
PBJ-1. Following the end of the war they were quickly deactivated.
Marine Photographic Squadrons
Marine photographic squadrons were first formed in 1942 and went through numerous name changes while they were active. VMDs/VMPs flew photographic modified versions of the
SBD Dauntless,
PB4Y-1 Liberator and
PB4Y-2 Privateer. The main mission of these squadrons was to conduct long range, very high-altitude photographic reconnaissance.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMD-154
|
| Pathfinders
| September 10, 1945 |
| VMP-254
|
|
| November 30, 1949 |
| VMP-354
|
|
| December 8, 1949 |
| VMD-954
|
|
| January 31, 1946 |
Marine Glider Squadron
The Marine Corps established a
glider program in April 1942. Eventually they set goals of having 10,800 Marines qualified as
glider infantry, with 1,371 gliders and 3,436 pilots. They originally operated from Page Field on
MCRD Parris Island but later moved to
Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake outside
Dallas, Texas. The program was disbanded in 1943 when it was determined that glider assaults into small, heavily fortified, jungle islands would be tactically unfeasible.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VML-711
|
|
| May 24, 1943 |
Marine Transport Squadrons
Flying the
R4D and the
R5C-1, these squadrons were responsible for movings troops and cargo,aerial resupply, delivery of
Paramarines and
medical evacuation.The last of these squadrons was deactivated in 1949.
Marine Scouting Squadrons
There were three Marine Scouting Squadrons prior to World War II; however, VMS-3 was the only squadron to retain the designation. The squadron served in
Haiti from 1919 through 1934 and then spent its last ten years at
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. During World War II they were the only Marine Corps squadron to operate east of the United States. They began the war flying the Grumman
J2F Duck, transitioned to the
OS2N Kingfisher and at the time of deactivation were flying SBD Dauntless dive bombers.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMS-3
|
| Devilbirds
| May 20, 1944 |
Marine Target Towing Detachments (VMTD/VMJ)
Marine Target Towing detachments were first formed at
Marine Corps Air Station Ewa in October 1944. They were responsible for towing targets for
antiaircraft gunnery and
radar tracking practice. They flew
JM-1 Marauders and the
R5C-1 Commandos. The last of these detachments was deactivated in March 1946.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMJ-1
|
|
| October, 1945 |
| VMJ-2
|
|
| March 6, 1946 |
| VMJ-3
|
| Red Asses
| October 21, 1945 |
Marine Observation Squadrons
The Marine observation squadrons were formed during the latter stages of World War II with the primary mission of
forward air control of strike aircraft for
close air support and
air interdiction. They saw extensive service during the
Vietnam War flying the
OV-10 Bronco. The Marine Corps began decommissioning the VMO squadrons following their participation in
Operation Desert Storm as propeller driven aircraft were seen as too dangerous to fly on the modern battlefield. Their mission has been assumed by the VMFA(AW) squadrons.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMO-1
|
|
| July 31, 1993 |
| VMO-2
|
| Cherry Deuce
| May 20, 1993 |
| VMO-4
|
| Evil Eyes
| March 31, 1994 |
| VMO-6
|
| Tomcats
| January 1, 1976 |
| VMO-7
|
|
| November 16, 1945 |
| VMO-8
|
|
| July 1976 |
| VMO-951
|
|
| October 10, 1944 |
Marine Attack Squadrons
In 1951, the Marine Corps began fielding the
AD-1 Skyraider ground attack aircraft which had as its main role
close air support for the Marines on the ground. Thus many squadrons had their designation changed from VMF to VMA to reflect this ground attack role. 13 squadrons were equipped with the Skyraider until they were finally phased out in 1958. Follow on VMA squadrons operated the
A-4 Skyhawk during the
Vietnam War through their retirement just after
Operation Desert Storm. The VMA tradition is carried on today by squadrons flying the
AV-8B Harrier II.
Marine Reconnaissance Squadron
Marine Reconnaissance Squadron 4 was the only reserve photographic reconnaissance squadron in the Marine Corps. They were based out of
Naval Air Station Olathe,
Kansas and flew the
F-8 Crusader.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMJ-4
|
|
| 1973 |
Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadrons
Following the
Korean War Marine Composite Squadron 1 (
VMC-1) and Marine Photographic Squadron 1 (
VMJ-1) were combined to form VMCJ-1. The new squadron was responsible for both
Photoreconnaissance and
Electronic Warfare. In its early years it flew the
RF-8A Crusader and
EF-10B Skyknight but these were later replaced by the
RF-4B Phantom II and the
EA-6A Electric Intruder. The squadron was deactivated following the end of the
Vietnam War and the reorganization of the Marine Corps' composite community in 1975.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMCJ-1
|
| Golden Hawks
| September 1975 |
Marine Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
Upon the decommissioning of the Marine Composite Squadrons (VMCJs), VMFP-3 became the lone photographic reconnaissance squadron in the Marine Corps. They flew the
RF-4B Phantom II and operated from 1975 until being decommissioned in 1990. Their capability has since been replaced by various
targeting pods used on Marine aircraft and the
Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System which is found in some of the
F/A-18 Hornet squadrons.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMFP-3
|
| Eyes of the Corps
| September 3, 1990 |
Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons
The first Marine Corps squadron to be redesignated a VMFA was in June 1962 upon receipt of the first
F-4 Phantom II aircraft. VMF and VMA squadrons were redesignated because the new Phantoms could be both
fighter aircraft and
ground attack aircraft. These squadrons were heavily deployed during the
Vietnam War. Most of these squadrons would eventually convert to the
F/A-18 Hornet with the last F-4 Phantom leaving service in 1992. The end of the
Cold War saw the deactivation of some VMFA squadrons as part of the overall drawdown of the
US Military
Marine All-Weather Fighter Attacks Squadron
- Please click here for specifics on the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attacks Squadrons
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| VMFA(AW)-332
|
| Moonlighters
| March 30, 2007 |
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadrons
- Please see above for specifics on the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadrons
Due to a reorganization in Marine aviation, HMH-366 is due to be reactivated in 2008 and will be based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| HMH-769
|
| Titan
| August 2, 2008 |
| HMH-777
|
| Flying Armadillos
| 1980 |
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadrons
The original Marine Medium Helicopter squadrons flew the
UH-34D Sea Horse, which shortly after its inception saw extensive combat during the
Vietnam War. Beginning in 1966 they began to be replaced with the
CH-46 Sea Knight which was faster, could carry more troops and is still in service today. The decommissioned HMM squadrons reflect the UH-34D training squadron and various reserve squadrons.
Marine Light Helicopter Squadrons
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| HML-765
|
| '
| June 30, 1976 |
| HML-767
|
| Nomads
| August 1, 1994 |
| HML-770
|
|
| 1980/81 |
| HML-771
|
| Hummers
| August 1, 1994 |
| HML-776
|
| Gangsters
| July 1, 1994 |
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadrons
The Marine Corps’ light attack squadrons (HMLAs) are composite squadrons usually made up of 12
AH-1W Cobras and 6
UH-1N Hueys. The primary missions of the Cobra is
close air support,
forward air control,
reconnaissance and armed escort, while the Huey provided airborne
command and control, utility support, supporting arms coordination and
medical evacuation. These squadrons were first formed during the Vietnam War with the fielding of the
AH-1 Cobra gunship and its being combined in the same squdron with the
UH-1H Iroquois that initially belonged to the Marine Corps'
VMO squadrons. The majority of these squadrons are still active today in the
Opearting Forces today
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
| HMLA-775
|
| Coyotes
| September 6, 2008 |
Training squadrons
| Squadron Name
| Insignia
| Nickname
| Date Decommissioned |
VMAT-20
Marine Attack Training Squadron
|
|
| |
VMAT-102
Marine Attack Training Squadron
|
| Skyhawks
| |
VMT-103
Marine Training Squadron
|
| Sky Chickens
| |
VMFAT-201
Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron
|
| Hawks
| September 30, 1974 |
VMAT(AW)-202
Marine All-Weather Attack Training Squadron
|
| Double Eagles
| 1990 |
VMGRT-253
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Training Squadron
|
| Titans
| September 14, 2006 |
HMT-301
Marine Helicopter Training Squadron
|
| Windwalkers
| June 3, 2005 |
HMHT-401
Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron
|
|
| May 1, 1972 |
HMMT-402
Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron
|
|
| May 1, 1972 |
See also
Notes
References
Bibliography
- Astor, Gerald (2005). Semper Fi in the Sky - The Marine Air Battles of World War II. New York: Random House.
- Blair, Clay, The Forgotten War: America in Korea, 1950-1953, Naval Institute Press (2003)
- Burkholder, Furner L. Friends Made, Moments Shared, Memories for Life: An Oral History of WWII- U.S. Marine Corps - VMSB 343. LeMieux International.
- Chapin, John C. (2000). Fire Brigade: U.S. Marines in the Pusan Perimeter. Washington D.C.: Marine Corps Historical Center.
- Condon, John Pomeroy Corsairs and Flattops - Marine Carrier Air Warfare, 1944-45. Annapolis Maryland: Naval Institute Press.
- Corum, James S. & Johnson, Wray R. Airpower in Small Wars - Fighting Insurgents and Terrorists. Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas.
- De Chant, John A. Devilbirds - The Story of United States Marine Aviation in World War II. New York: Harper & Brothers.
- Dorr, Robert F. Marine Air - The History of the Flying Leathernecks in Words and Photos. Penguin Group.
- Johnson, Edward C. (1977). Marine Corps Aviation: The Early Years 1912 - 1940. United States Marine Corps.
- Krulak, Victor H. (Lt. Gen.), First to Fight: An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps, Naval Institute Press (1999)
- Lundstrom, John B. (2005 (New edition)). First Team And the Guadalcanal Campaign: Naval Fighter Combat from August to November 1942. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-472-8.
- Mersky, Peter B. (1983). U.S. Marine Corps Aviation - 1912 to the Present. Nautical and Aviation Publishing Company of America. ISBN 0-933852-39-8.
- Millstein, Jeff U.S. Marine Corps Aviation Unit Insignia 1941-1946. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Company.
- Rottman, Gordon L. U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
- Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press.
- Shettle Jr., M. L. United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II. Bowersville, Georgia: Schaertel Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-964-33882-3.
- Tillman, Barrett Corsair - The F4U in World War II and Korea. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-944-8.
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