VMA-242

• Established in 1943: Marine Attack Squadron 242 (VMA-242) was first commissioned on 1 March 1943 as Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 242 (VMTB-242) during World War II. • World War II Service: The squadron operated the Grumman TBF Avenger and participated in the Pacific campaign, including the Battle of Iwo Jima, providing torpedo bombing and close air support. • Deactivation and Reactivation: Following World War II, the squadron was deactivated in November 1945 but was reactivated in 1960 as VMA-242, part of the Marine Corps' postwar expansion. • Vietnam War Deployments: VMA-242 flew the A-6A Intruder during the Vietnam War, conducting all-weather, day and night attack missions from bases in Vietnam and Japan. • Nickname "Bats": The unit is famously known as the "Bats," a nickname stemming from their all-weather, nighttime attack capabilities. • Transition to F/A-18D: In 1990, VMA-242 transitioned from the A-6 Intruder to the F/A-18D Hornet, reflecting the evolving needs of Marine Corps Aviation. • Global War on Terror: The Bats deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, providing close air support and reconnaissance missions. • Forward Deployed Unit: VMA-242 has been forward deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the United States' commitment to the defense of the Asia-Pacific region. • Transition to F-35B: In 2020, VMA-242 began transitioning to the F-35B Lightning II, becoming the first forward-deployed Marine F-35B squadron in the Indo-Pacific region. • Squadron Insignia: The unit's insignia features a bat flying in front of a crescent moon, symbolizing their heritage as nighttime attack specialists.