Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112
A United States Marine Corps Reserve fighter-attack squadron based at NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112, commonly designated VMFA-112, is a United States Marine Corps Reserve aviation unit assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 41 of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. Based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas, the squadron has historically operated fighter and fighter-attack aircraft in support of Marine Corps air-ground operations. Its stated mission is to conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground operations in support of the Marine rifleman. The squadron was activated as VMF-112 at San Diego, California, on 1 March 1942, shortly after the United States entered World War II. Flying Grumman F4F Wildcats, it deployed to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal and joined the Cactus Air Force during the intense campaign in the Solomon Islands. The unit participated in extensive combat operations and became associated with several notable Marine aviators, including Jefferson J. DeBlanc, who received the Medal of Honor for actions involving the destruction of five enemy aircraft during a single mission. For its service during the Guadalcanal campaign from 7 August to 9 December 1942, the squadron received the Presidential Unit Citation. After a period at Espiritu Santo, VMF-112 transitioned to the Vought F4U-1 Corsair. It returned to the United States in September 1943 and later became carrier qualified under the designation VMF(CVS)-112. In December 1944, it joined Air Group 82 aboard USS Bennington for a second combat tour. By the end of the war, the squadron was credited with 140 Japanese aircraft destroyed in aerial combat, a total that placed it third among Marine Corps squadrons at that time. It was deactivated on 10 September 1945 after returning to the United States. The unit returned to service on 1 July 1946 as a Marine Air Detachment within the Marine Air Reserve Training Command at Naval Air Station Dallas. During the postwar decades it operated a succession of aircraft, including the Corsair, Grumman F9F Panther, North American AF-1E Fury, and Vought F-8 Crusader. Following the deactivation of VMF-111, its aircraft were transferred to VMF-112, making the unit the largest Marine reserve squadron for a period. It was redesignated VMF(AW)-112 when it received all-weather Crusader variants. In the latter half of the 1970s, the squadron transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and adopted the VMFA-112 designation. It retired its final F-4S aircraft on 18 January 1992, ending the last active naval-service F-4S squadron operation. The squadron then began flying the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet, completing its first official flight in the type on 8 October 1992. In September 1996, it moved to NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, where it remains based. During the 2000s, VMFA-112 operated upgraded F/A-18A+ aircraft and took part in exercises and overseas activity in the Western Pacific, Japan, Guam, Australia, Norway, and other locations. It supported Operation Jungle Shield and Exercise Southern Frontier in 2004 and participated in the multinational Battle Griffin exercise in Norway in 2005. In late 2009, it deployed to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, supporting operations connected with the withdrawal of United States forces from major Iraqi cities, special operations missions, and airborne surveillance. It was described as the last fighter-attack squadron to depart Iraq during that phase of the conflict. The squadron has also worked with VMGR-234 on an expeditionary concept pairing F/A-18 aircraft with rapid forward refueling and rearming capabilities. Under the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 aviation plan, VMFA-112 is scheduled to begin transitioning from the F/A-18 to the F-35C by fiscal year 2029.
History
VMFA-112 traces its lineage to VMF-112, activated at San Diego on 1 March 1942. Equipped initially with Grumman F4F Wildcats, the squadron deployed to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal and became part of the Cactus Air Force. Its Guadalcanal service included sustained air combat during the Solomon Islands campaign. Jefferson J. DeBlanc was awarded the Medal of Honor for a mission in which he destroyed five enemy aircraft, and the squadron received the Presidential Unit Citation for its operations between 7 August and 9 December 1942. After leaving Guadalcanal for Espiritu Santo, the unit converted to the Vought F4U-1 Corsair. It returned to the United States in September 1943 and was redesignated VMF(CVS)-112 after becoming carrier qualified. In December 1944, the squadron joined Air Group 82 aboard USS Bennington for its second World War II combat tour. In May 1945, Lieutenant Robert Cook destroyed a Japanese barrage balloon over Kyushu, an action described as the only such balloon shootdown by a Marine squadron during the war. By the end of the conflict, VMF-112 was credited with 140 aerial victories, ranking third among Marine Corps squadrons in enemy aircraft destroyed. The unit was deactivated on 10 September 1945. On 1 July 1946, the squadron was reactivated as a Marine Air Detachment assigned to the Marine Air Reserve Training Command at Naval Air Station Dallas. Its postwar aircraft succession included the Corsair, F9F Panther, AF-1E Fury, and F-8 Crusader. After VMF-111 was deactivated, VMF-112 inherited its aircraft and became the largest Marine reserve squadron. The receipt of all-weather Crusader variants led to the VMF(AW)-112 designation. The squadron transitioned to the F-4 Phantom II in the late 1970s and became VMFA-112. On 18 January 1992, it retired its last F-4S aircraft, ending the final active naval-service F-4S squadron operation. It began operating F/A-18A Hornets in 1992, with the first official flight taking place on 8 October. The unit moved from the Dallas area to NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base in September 1996. In 2002, its aircraft were upgraded to the F/A-18A+ configuration. The squadron subsequently participated in Western Pacific and multinational activities, including deployments and exercises involving Japan, Guam, Australia, and Norway. Its 2004 activities included support for Operation Jungle Shield and Exercise Southern Frontier, while the 2005 Battle Griffin exercise in Norway emphasized multinational interoperability and air-to-ground skills. VMFA-112 deployed to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq in late 2009. During that deployment, it supported the withdrawal of United States forces from major Iraqi cities, assisted special operations missions, and conducted aerial surveillance. The unit was identified as the final fighter-attack squadron to leave Iraq during that chapter of the conflict. In subsequent years, it worked with VMGR-234 on an expeditionary aviation concept intended to enable rapid refueling and rearming from austere or hastily prepared runways. The Marine Corps Force Design 2030 aviation plan schedules a future transition to the F-35C beginning by fiscal year 2029.
- 2009
Iraq deployment
[1]The squadron deployed to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq and supported force withdrawal, special operations, and aerial intelligence missions.
- 2005
Battle Griffin exercise
[1]VMFA-112 deployed to Oerland Main Air Station in Norway for the multinational Battle Griffin exercise.
- 2004
Western Pacific and Southern Frontier activity
[1]The squadron supported Operation Jungle Shield and Exercise Southern Frontier while operating from locations including Japan, Guam, and Australia.
- 2002
F/A-18A+ upgrade
[1]The squadron's Hornets were reconfigured to the upgraded F/A-18A+ standard.
- 1996
Move to Fort Worth
[1]VMFA-112 relocated to NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base in September.
- 1992
F-4S retirement and Hornet conversion
[1]The last F-4S aircraft left the squadron on 18 January, and the first official F/A-18A Hornet flight followed on 8 October.
- 1975
Transition to the F-4 Phantom II
[1]The squadron moved from the F-8 Crusader family to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and adopted the VMFA-112 designation.
- 1946
Reactivation in the Marine Air Reserve
[1]The unit was reactivated on 1 July as a Marine Air Detachment within the Marine Air Reserve Training Command at NAS Dallas.
- 1945
World War II combat record
[1]By the end of World War II, the squadron was credited with 140 Japanese aircraft destroyed in aerial combat.
- 1945
Deactivation after World War II
[1]VMF-112 returned to the United States and was deactivated on 10 September.
Products and positioning
A Marine Corps Reserve fighter-attack squadron combining combat aviation, expeditionary operations, and reserve-force readiness in support of Marine ground forces.
World War II fighter aircraft
Grumman F4F Wildcat
The Wildcat was VMF-112's initial combat aircraft. The squadron flew it during its Guadalcanal deployment as part of the Cactus Air Force, conducting fighter operations in the Solomon Islands campaign.
World War II fighter aircraft
Vought F4U-1 Corsair
After leaving Guadalcanal, the squadron converted to the Corsair, which it operated for the remainder of World War II. The type supported both land-based operations and the squadron's later carrier-qualified activities.
Supersonic fighter aircraft
Vought F-8 Crusader
VMF-112 operated several versions of the F-8 Crusader during its postwar Marine Reserve career. Receipt of all-weather D and E models led to the VMF(AW)-112 designation.
Fighter-bomber aircraft
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
The squadron transitioned to the F-4 in the late 1970s and operated the F-4S until January 1992. Its retirement of the final F-4S aircraft marked the end of the last active naval-service F-4S squadron.
Fighter-attack aircraft · 1992
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A+ Hornet
VMFA-112 began flying F/A-18A Hornets in 1992 and later operated the upgraded F/A-18A+ configuration. The aircraft has supported air-to-air, air-to-ground, surveillance, training, and expeditionary missions.
Carrier-capable multirole fighter
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II
The F-35C is the planned successor to the squadron's F/A-18 aircraft under the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 aviation plan. Conversion is scheduled to begin by fiscal year 2029.
Marketing campaigns
- 2009Iraq deployment
Iraq
From Al Asad Air Base, the squadron supported the withdrawal of United States forces from major Iraqi cities, special operations missions, and airborne surveillance.
Outcome. VMFA-112 was identified as the last fighter-attack squadron to leave Iraq during that phase of the conflict.
- 2005Battle Griffin
Norway and Europe
VMFA-112 deployed to Oerland Main Air Station for a multinational exercise focused on interoperability and air-to-ground combat skills.
Outcome. The exercise provided training in multinational operations and demanding cold-weather conditions.
- 2004Operation Jungle Shield and Exercise Southern Frontier
Japan · Guam · Australia · and the Western Pacific
The squadron operated from several Pacific locations in support of regional Marine Corps activity and multinational exercise objectives.
Outcome. The activity expanded the reserve squadron's experience in overseas and multinational operations.
- 1944World War II carrier operations
Pacific Theater
Assigned to Air Group 82 aboard USS Bennington, the squadron conducted a second combat tour using Corsair aircraft.
Outcome. The squadron's World War II record ultimately included 140 credited aerial victories.
- 1942Guadalcanal campaign
Solomon Islands
VMF-112 deployed to Henderson Field and operated as part of the Cactus Air Force during the Guadalcanal campaign.
Outcome. The squadron received the Presidential Unit Citation for its service during the campaign.
Brand decisions
2002
Upgrade to F/A-18A+ aircraftGeneration changeBackground
The squadron was operating F/A-18A aircraft as a Marine Corps Reserve fighter-attack unit.
Action taken
Its aircraft were reconfigured to the F/A-18A+ standard.
Aftermath
The upgraded aircraft supported later overseas exercises and the 2009 Iraq deployment.
1992
Conversion to the F/A-18 HornetGeneration changeBackground
The squadron retired its last F-4S aircraft on 18 January 1992.
Action taken
VMFA-112 began operating the F/A-18A Hornet, recording its first official flight in the type on 8 October.
Aftermath
The Hornet became the squadron's principal fighter-attack platform and was later upgraded to the F/A-18A+ configuration.
1975
Transition from the F-8 Crusader to the F-4 Phantom IIGeneration changeBackground
The squadron had operated successive versions of the F-8 Crusader as a Marine reserve unit.
Action taken
It adopted the F-4 Phantom II and the VMFA-112 fighter-attack designation.
Aftermath
The F-4 remained in squadron service until the final F-4S aircraft were retired in January 1992.
- Planned conversion to the F-35CGeneration change
Background
The Marine Corps Force Design 2030 aviation plan calls for the future modernization of reserve fighter-attack units.
Action taken
VMFA-112 is scheduled to begin replacing its F/A-18 aircraft with F-35C aircraft by fiscal year 2029.
Aftermath
The planned change would move the squadron to a newer carrier-capable multirole fighter platform, although the conversion has not yet occurred.
Sources1 sources
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