VMFAT-101

• Establishment: VMFAT-101 "Sharpshooters" was established on January 3, 1969, at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, to provide advanced jet training for Marine aviators. • Mission: The squadron’s primary mission was to train replacement aircrews for the F-4 Phantom II, and later the F/A-18 Hornet, ensuring fleet readiness. • Name Meaning: The “VMFAT” designation stands for Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron, with “101” as its unique number. • Transition to F/A-18: In 1987, VMFAT-101 transitioned from training on the F-4 Phantom II to the more modern F/A-18 Hornet, reflecting advances in Marine Corps aviation. • Long Service: Over five decades, VMFAT-101 trained thousands of Navy and Marine Corps pilots and Weapon Systems Officers (WSOs), becoming one of the longest-serving training squadrons. • Callsign: The squadron’s callsign, “Sharpshooter,” was chosen to reflect the precision and skill expected of the aviators they trained. • Relocation: In 1999, VMFAT-101 moved from MCAS El Toro to MCAS Miramar as part of the Marine Corps’ realignment of aviation assets. • First Female Hornet Pilot: VMFAT-101 was the training squadron for Captain Sarah Deal, the first female Marine Corps aviator to fly the F/A-18 Hornet. • Deactivation: Due to a shift in training requirements and fleet downsizing, VMFAT-101 was deactivated on September 29, 2023, after 54 years of service. • Legacy: The squadron’s impact is long-lasting, with many of the Marine Corps’ and Navy’s top F/A-18 pilots having earned their wings through VMFAT-101’s rigorous training program.