VMFAT-101

VMFAT-101, known as the "SharpShooters," was a United States Marine Corps Fleet Replacement Squadron established on January 3, 1969, at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. The squadron's primary mission was to train new naval aviators and replacement aircrew in the operation of the F-4 Phantom II, and later, the F/A-18 Hornet. Over its five decades of service, VMFAT-101 played a vital role in preparing Marine Corps and Navy pilots and weapon systems officers for operational fleet duty. The unit was deactivated on September 29, 2023, at MCAS Miramar, after training thousands of aviators and contributing significantly to Marine Corps aviation readiness.