VMA-223 Bulldogs CAG
Mission: Marine Attack Squadron (VMA)-223 is one of four AV-8B Harrier squadrons assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Its mission is to provide offensive air support, armed reconnaissance, and air-defense for Marine expeditionary forces.
Brief Unit History: The Unit Started Off in WW II in Oahu HI and was Originally involved with the Pearl Harbor Attack by the Japanese. it transferred around the Pacific for the remainder of the War
Jumping fwd…
The Bulldogs entered the Jet Age in July 1950 with the F9F Panther. In August 1953 the squadron again deployed overseas to Naval Air Station (NAS) Atsugi, Japan. They operated in Japan, Korea, and Okinawa before returning to El Toro in October 1954. Shortly thereafter, the squadron was re-designated Marine Attack Squadron 223. In August 1957, the squadron transitioned to the North American F4B Fury. In January 1961, the Douglas A-4B Skyhawk replaced the Fury.
In December 1965, the Bulldogs deployed to Chu Lai, South Vietnam with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) for combat operations. The squadron flew more than 32,000 flight hours. In May 1967, the squadron flew a record 1,234 combat sorties - by far the greatest monthly total for any attack squadron operating in Vietnam.
In February 1970, after nearly five and a half years in the Far East, the Bulldogs transferred to 3d MAW at MCAS El Toro. In May 1975, the squadron received the new A-4M Skyhawk.
In July 1976, the squadron returned to Asia as part of 1st MAW in Iwakuni, Japan. In the year that followed, the Bulldogs honed their attack skills through participation in multinational exercises with Australian, New Zealand, and South Korean armed forces. As a forward deployed unit, the Bulldogs were a key part of America’s first line of defense.
During August 1977, VMA-223 returned from Japan and joined 2d MAW stationed at MCAS Cherry Point. The Bulldogs formed the backbone of the wing’s Unit Deployment Plan (UDP) contingents. This resulted in multiple six-month deployments to Japan in addition to exercises in the U.S. The Bulldogs had the distinction of being the last operational A-4M squadron on the East Coast. In October 1987, VMA-223 transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II.
In January 1991, the Bulldogs deployed a six-plane detachment to NAS Rota, Spain, for contingency operations in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM. The detachment remained at Rota through February, training with the Spanish military.
Introduction of the new night systems/radar-equipped AV-8B Harrier II Plus in 1994 did not slow the pace for the Bulldogs. The squadron continued to deploy Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable [MEU(SOC)] detachments throughout this period of high operational tempo.
From 1999 to 2001 the squadron participated in joint exercises including a full squadron deployment to Greece and a deployment aboard USS Bataan (LHD-5) to the Caribbean.
The 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks reaffirmed the nation’s need for a force in readiness and VMA-223 was once again at the tip of the spear. Following a brief stop in Egypt to hone their combat skills during Exercise BRIGHT STAR, the 26th MEU(SOC) and its attached Bulldog Harriers repositioned to the Arabian Gulf for combat missions in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. These pilots became the first Bulldogs to fly combat missions since the Vietnam War. Simultaneously they proved the night systems capabilities of the Harrier.
In January 2003, the squadron (minus) received orders to deploy aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) as part of the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2d MEB). Arriving in the Northern Arabian Gulf in mid-February, VMA-223 personnel transferred, while underway, to the USS Bataan to join VMA-542 as part of the East Coast “Harrier Carrier” attached to 3d MAW.
From 5 to 18 March the squadron participated in Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and SOUTHERN FORCE over Southern Iraq. These sorties consisted of intelligence collection with the Litening II Targeting Pod and presence missions to enforce United Nations resolutions. With the outbreak of hostilities on 19 March, Bulldog pilots were in the attack, conducting airborne interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and Close Air Support (CAS) in support of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF), and later the Army’s V Corps as part of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. VMA-223 utilized Forward Operating Bases at Al Jabbar, Kuwait, and later An Numiniyah, Iraq, along with aerial refueling to strike targets in excess of 400 miles from the ship. Bulldog pilots released 87,500 pounds of precision-guided ordnance during the conflict.
VMA-223 squadron (minus) returned from Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in June 2003. Meanwhile the squadron’s detachment with the 26th MEU (SOC) supported Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and participated in support and stability operations in Liberia. On 30 April 2003, with the entire squadron deployed aboard ship, VMA-223 became the first AV-8B squadron to reach 50,000 mishap-free flight hours.
Prior to redeploying to Iraq, VMA-223 formed a Landing Force 6th Fleet (LF6F) detachment as part of the 22nd MEU. Ironically, this detachment would rejoin the squadron (minus) at Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq shortly after it deployed in November 2005. From there, the Bulldogs provided Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), CAS, convoy escort, raid overwatch, and helicopter escort to II MEF across Iraq’s al-Anbar province. The Bulldogs were airborne, providing air coverage during two pivotal moments in Iraqi history – the Iraqi Constitutional Referendum vote in October 2005 and the national parliamentary elections held in December 2005. During the deployment VMA-223 flew over 1,700 sorties, logged over 4,700 flight hours, and employed over 14.5 tons of precision-guided ordnance in intense urban combat. The squadron also surpassed 60,000 Class A mishap-free flight hours in February 2006, another first for a Harrier squadron.
Squadron honors include the Presidential Unit Citation with three Gold Stars, the Navy Unit Commendation with Two Bronze Stars, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with one Silver Star, the World War II Victory Streamer, the Navy Occupation Service Streamer with “Asia” and “Europe”, the National Defense Service Streamer with three Bronze Stars, the Korean Service Streamer, the Vietnam Service Streamer with Two Silver Stars, the Iraq Campaign Streamer, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Streamer, the Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer, the Philippine Liberation Streamer with one Bronze Star, The Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer, and the Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer.
Squadron awards include the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Safety Award (1965, 1966, 1967, 1975, 1977, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2004), the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s (MCAA) Lawton H.M. Sanderson Trophy for Marine Attack Squadron of the Year (1999, 2000 and 2002), the MCAA Pete Ross Safety Award (2005), the 2d MAW Commanding General’s Ground Safety Award (2001 and 2002), the Commanding General II Marine Expeditionary Force Unit Ground Safety Award (2002), and the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Safety Award (Category IV) for ground safety excellence (2002), the inaugural Marine Corps James L. Jones Safety Award (2003), the Department of the Navy Safety Excellence Award (2003), the Navy League Award for Aviation Safety (2004), and Mishap-free flight hour awards from Boeing Corporation (10,000 through 60,000 hours).
That's how you represent the Marine Corps, Ooorah!! Well done Whisky!!
1 years ago
Marine1