F/A-18D VMFA(AW)-224 “Bengals”
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 (VMFA(AW)-224) is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Also known as the “Fighting Bengals”, the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). The Bengals are one of only two Marine F/A-18D Hornet Squadrons currently operating out of MCAS Beaufort, S.C. The other is the Hawks.
VMFA(AW)-224 Support the Marine Air Ground Task Force commander by providing supporting arms coordination, conducting multi-sensor imagery, and destroying surface targets and enemy aircraft day or night; under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations.
Squadron Patch when they were VMF-224
History
World War II
Marine Fighter Squadron 224 (VMF-224) was commissioned on May 1, 1942 at Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii. Flying Grumman F4F Wildcats, the Bengals entered World War II as part of the Cactus Air Force stationed on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal. Led by Medal of Honor recipient Maj Robert Galer, the squadron accounted for over sixty Japanese aircraft being destroyed in less than two months. The squadron also conducted close air support (CAS) missions while under constant attack from Japanese naval, air, and ground forces. VMF-224 contributed significantly to the American victory during the Guadalcanal Campaign, which in turn, helped stem the tide of the Japanese advance across the Southern Pacific and secured a crucial foothold in the long island-hopping campaign against Japan.
A newly delivered Vought F4U-5 Corsair at MCAS Cherry Point in 1948
After Guadalcanal, the squadron was refitted with the Vought F4U Corsair and participated in the Marshall Islands Campaign. The spring of 1945 found VMF-224 participating in the last great battle of the Pacific Campaign. During the Battle of Okinawa the squadron operated initially from Yomitan and then from 1st July from Chimu Airfield. Throughout the struggle for Okinawa, the Bengals flew infantry support and counter air missions accounting for an additional fifty-five enemy aircraft being destroyed.
1950s – 1970s
The squadron entered the jet era in 1951 with the acceptance of the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee. In 1952, after completing a Mediterranean Cruise aboard the USS Roosevelt, the squadron accepted the Grumman F9F Panther, and was re-designated Marine Attack Squadron 224 (VMA-224).
A VMA-224 A-4E takes off from Chu Lai, Vietnam, 24th September 1966.
On September 29th, 1956, the squadron became the first Marine unit to field the Douglas A4D Skyhawk aircraft. In 1965, the Bengals deployed to South Vietnam as part of the United States’ buildup during the Vietnam War. For nearly a year the Bengals operated their “Scooters” from the expeditionary field at Chu Lai. On November 1st, 1966, the squadron acquired the Grumman A-6 Intruder and was re-designated as Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224 (VMA(AW)-224). In 1971, the Bengals deployed to the South China Sea aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). As part of Carrier Air Wing 15, the squadron completed six line periods on Yankee Station and participated in numerous operations including the historic Operation Pocket Money mining of Hai Phong Harbor.
The Gulf War & the 1990s
The Bengals deployed to Southwest Asia, on August 28th, 1990. Operating from Shaikh-Isa Air Base, Bahrain the squadron participated in Operation Desert Shield. From January 16th, to February 28th, 1991, the Bengals participated in Operation Desert Storm, expending more than 2.3 million pounds of ordnance during 422 combat sorties.
A U.S. Marine Corps Grumman A-6E Intruder from Marine all-weather attack squadron VMA(AW)-224 Fighting Bengals on the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina (USA), in 1984.
Shortly after their return to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on May 24th, 1992, the Bengals celebrated their 50th anniversary. Less than a year later on March 5th, 1993, the squadron was re-designated VMFA(AW)-224 and moved to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina where the Bengals received the multi-mission F/A-18D Hornet.
From April to September 1994 the Bengals deployed to Aviano, Italy, as part of the United Nations force for Operation Deny Flight and Operation Provide Promise in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The squadron flew 1150 sorties for 3485 flight hours including 1150 night hours. The Marines of VMFA(AW)-224 again deployed to Aviano, Italy in September 1995, as part of NATO Operation Deliberate Force and Operation Joint Endeavor.
Global War on Terror
On January 11th, 2005, VMFA(AW)-224 deployed to Al Asad Airbase, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). While in support of OIF, the Bengals employed 65,225 lbs. of ordnance and flew over 2500 sorties and 7000 hours in direct support of Marine, Army and Coalition ground units.
On May 7th, 2021, VMFA(AW)-224 deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia for Dynamic Force Employment (DFE) in support of withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Illuminated by the setting sun after landing at Al Asad, Iraq, Jan. 15th, a tiger striped F/A-18D Hornet with Marine (All Weather) Fighter Attack Squadron 224 rests in the new hangar area prepared for the squadron by 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Marines. Photo by Cpl. Paul Leicht
Weapon system officer 2010 crash
On March 12th, 2010 an F/A-18D Hornet from the squadron crashed 35 miles (56 km) off the coast of St. Helena Sound north of Beaufort due to an engine fire. The pilot and Weapons Systems Officer were able to safely eject.
Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale F/A-18D ATARS 164886, VMFA(AW)-224 “Bengals”, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan 2009
On May 1, 1942 VMF-224 “Bengals” was commissioned and in 1951 received their first jet, F2H-2 Banshee. In 1952 VMF-224 became VMA-224 flying the Panther. In 1965 VMA-224 went to Vietnam and in 1966 received the A-6A Intruder and a unit name change to VMA(AW)-224. In 1993 saw yet another unit name change to VMFA(AW)-224 and upgraded to the F/A-18D Hornet. Starting in January 2009 the Bengals spent time at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan until July that year. F/A-18D 164886 was ATARS equipped (Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System), electro-optical sensor package which replaces the nose gun.
Hobbymaster New Model Announcements.
Check out the latest Hobbymaster models which are now available to pre-order at Flying Tigers today.
Don’t forget NO DEPOSIT necessary with Flying Tigers and if you order with your debit or credit card your payment is not taken until your model is available to dispatch.
Flying Tigers will also consolidate your orders to save on postage costs across all brands !
Please click on the images / links below to go to the model of your choice, or CLICK HERE to see them all.
Hobbymaster models due at end of February.
Check out the next delivery of Hobbymaster models which are arriving at Flying Tigers at the end of February and are available to pre-order at Flying Tigers today.
Don’t forget NO DEPOSIT necessary with Flying Tigers and if you order with your debit or credit card your payment is not taken until your model is available to dispatch.
Flying Tigers will also consolidate your orders to save on postage costs across all brands !
Please click on the images / links below to go to the model of your choice, or CLICK HERE to see them all.
HA1062 Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale TF-104G Starfighter 27+79, MFG 2, Marineflieger, 1985 RRP £78.00 Flying Tigers only £57.99, Sorry… sold out at pre-order stage.
HA1049 Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale F-104G Starfighter 26+69, MFG 2, Marineflieger, 1985 RRP £78.00 Flying Tigers only £57.99, Sorry… sold out at pre-order stage.
HA3891 Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale Lockheed KF-16D Fighting Falcon 92-047, 20th Fighter Wing, ROKAF, April 2020 RRP £92.00 Flying Tigers only £67.99, Sorry sold out at pre-order stage.
HA5120 Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale F/A-18F “Operation Inherent Resolve” 166620, VFA-103, USS Truman 2016 RRP £120.00 Flying Tigers only ££89.99. Sorry, sold out at pre-order stage.
Century Wings models due at end of February.
Check out the next delivery of Century Wings models which are arriving at Flying Tigers at the end of February and are available to pre-order at Flying Tigers today.
Don’t forget NO DEPOSIT necessary with Flying Tigers and if you order with your debit or credit card your payment is not taken until your model is available to dispatch.
Flying Tigers will also consolidate your orders to save on postage costs across all brands !
Please click on the images / links below to go to the model of your choice, or CLICK HERE to see them all.
CW001639 Century Wings 1/72nd scale Vought F-8E Crusader VF-53 Iron Angels NF201 1967 Flaps-down version RRP £132.00 Flying Tigers only £119.99 Sorry sold out at pre-order stage.
That is all for this week.
Thank you for reading this week’s Newsletter.
Richard.
Flying Tigers.
