About this Unit
Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA(AW)-242), known as the "Bats," was originally commissioned in 1943 during World War II as Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 242 (VMTB-242). The unit has since undergone several redesignations and aircraft transitions, notably flying the A-6 Intruder in the all-weather attack role and later transitioning to the F/A-18D Hornet. VMFA(AW)-242 has participated in numerous operations, including combat missions in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and deployments supporting Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. Today, the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and operates the advanced F-35B Lightning II, continuing its legacy as a premier strike fighter squadron in the Indo-Pacific region.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: VMFA(AW)-242 traces its lineage back to Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 242 (VMTB-242), which was activated on July 1, 1943, at El Centro, California, and flew TBM/Avenger aircraft during World War II.
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Nickname – “Bats”: The squadron is famously known as the “Bats,” a nickname adopted due to their night flying capabilities and their squadron insignia featuring a bat in flight.
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Vietnam War Service: VMFA(AW)-242 deployed to Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, in 1966, flying A-6A Intruders and conducting all-weather attack missions against North Vietnamese targets.
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First Marine Squadron with A-6E Intruders: The squadron was among the first in the Marine Corps to operate the advanced A-6E Intruder, an all-weather attack aircraft, enhancing the Corps’ night and adverse-weather strike capabilities.
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Gulf War Participation: During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, VMFA(AW)-242 flew combat missions from Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, striking key Iraqi targets with precision-guided munitions.
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Transition to F/A-18D Hornet: In 1990, the squadron transitioned from the A-6E Intruder to the F/A-18D Hornet, becoming a Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
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Global Deployments: VMFA(AW)-242 has deployed worldwide, including to Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program, and supported operations in the Western Pacific, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
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Humanitarian Missions: The squadron has participated in numerous humanitarian and disaster relief operations, including operations in response to natural disasters in the Pacific region.
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Transition to F-35B Lightning II: In 2020, VMFA(AW)-242 became the first forward-deployed Marine squadron in Japan to transition to the F-35B Lightning II, the Marine Corps’ newest stealth fighter.
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Current Station: VMFA(AW)-242, now VMFA-242 after transitioning to the F-35B, is currently based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, playing a key role in U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy.
