Thursday, March 31, 2022

VMA-214 re-designated as VMFA-214

From Scramble News (https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/vma-214-re-designated-as-vmfa-214)

Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214 Black Sheep ('WE-xx') was officially re-designated as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (AZ) on 25 March 2022.

The unit is part of Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW).

The re-designation of the squadron is part of the transition from the AV-8B Harrier to the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. In 1989, the Black Sheep transitioned from the A-4 Skyhawk to the AV-8B Harrier which they operated for a period over 30 years.

The unit participated in combat operations throughout the globe, including Operation Restore Hope, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Most recently, VMA-214 completed its final AV-8B deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during which they participated in Operation Inherent Resolve. 


JO2 Zack Baddorf, USN - US Defense Visual Information Center photo DN-SD-06-04295

U.S. Navy aviation fuels (purple) and plane handlers (blue) sailors fuel two U.S. Marine Corps McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier IIs of Marine attack squadron VMA-214 Blacksheep prior to launch from the Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA-5)Peleliu was underway in the Pacific Ocean conducting carrier qualifications on 4 Aug 2005. VMA-214 is normally stationed at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma (Arizona, USA).