In August 1966, under the command of LtCol Donald Stiver, the Green Knights ferried their A-4E Skyhawks to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan and after preparatory training in Japan and Okinawa, began combat operations from Chu Lai Air Base, South Vietnam in December, 1966. During November 1962, the "Green Knights" deployed in their new A-4s to NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Spending most of the next year at the likes of NAAS Fallon, MCAS Yuma, and NOTS China Lake, the "Green Knights" became the first squadron to complete the entire special weapons delivery syllabus. In late 1958, the Squadron traded the Cougars for brand new A-4 Skyhawks. The Cougar equipped with the LABS system for loft bombing, was the first aircraft flown by the squadron capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Returning to MCAS El Toro in 1957, the squadron assumed its role in the Unit Deployment Program with scheduled rotations to Japan and traded in its AD Skyraider aircraft and joined the jet age with the F9F-8B. The "Wolf Raiders" of VMA-121 remained in South Korea for several years after the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953. The squadron dropped more bomb tonnage during the Korean War than any other Navy or Marine Corps squadron, devastating enemy airfields, supply dumps, bridges, and railroad yards.ĭuring the Korean War the Squadron insignia depicted Al Capp's "WolfGirl" from the comic strip Li'l Abner. Their mission was to conduct strike missions in support of infantry operations. VMA-121 deployed to K-6 Airfield at Pyongtaek, Republic of Korea on Octoand conducted their first strike on October 27. In June 1953 they also set a then Marine record for a single day's ordnance delivery when 16 AD-2 Skyraiders dropped 156 tons of bombs during the attack on the Sui-ho Dam. After completion of training in the Skyraider, the squadron was transported aboard the carrier USS Sitkoh Bay to Yokosuka, Japan to begin final preparations for a combat deployment to the Republic of Korea. In mid 1951, VMA-121 received orders to activate its reserve members and departed NAS Glenview for Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. Korean War Squadron's logo when it was VMA-121 "Wolf Raiders"
During this time they flew a variety of aircraft including the F4U Corsair, F8F Bearcat and A-1 Skyraider. VMF-121 downed 208 Japanese aircraft (165 flying Wildcats and another 44 flying Corsairs) in aerial combat.Īfter World War II, the squadron was reactivated in the United States at Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois where the squadron's designation was changed to Marine Attack Squadron 121 ( VMA-121). During the Pacific War, VMF-121 produced fourteen fighter aces, more than any other squadron, including Medal of Honor recipient, Major Joseph J. They returned to the United States to be deactivated on September 9, 1945. On September 15, 1944, the Green Knights landed on Peleliu and fought there until July 25, 1945. The squadron also fought from the forward air bases of Espirito Santo, Turtle Bay, Bougainville, and Emirau. The Green Knights began combat operations flying the F4F Wildcat and later the F4U Corsair as charter members of the Cactus Air Force and throughout the Battle of Guadalcanal arriving in October 1942. Marine Fighting Squadron 121 ( VMF-121) was activated on June 24, 1941. History World War II Squadron's logo when it was VMF-121
WATERMAN F18 COCKPIT CODE
Their tail code is VK and their radio call sign is "Combat". The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW). The squadron departed Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in early May 2020.Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), also known as the "Green Knights", is a United States Marine Corps aircraft squadron operating the F-35B Lightning II. The carrier and embarked air wing spent a total of 10 months at sea, an unusually long deployment made longer by COVID-19 quarantine procedures and an extended stay in the Persian Gulf to check on Iran. Marine Corps fighter attack squadron VMFA-323 has returned from a deployment on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The F/A-18C strike fighters of the Marine Corps “Death Rattlers” squadron are back from their last cruise, soon to be replaced by the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.
The F/A-18C Hornet, a fighter jet that once crowded the decks of aircraft carriers by the dozens, has left carriers for good.
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