Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115
A United States Marine Corps fighter-attack squadron known as the Silver Eagles.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, commonly identified by its designation VMFA-115 and officially nicknamed the Silver Eagles, is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit. Its stated mission is to intercept and destroy hostile aircraft in all-weather conditions and to attack surface targets. The squadron uses the radio callsign “Blade” and has also been associated with the historical nickname “Joe’s Jokers,” a reference to its first commanding officer, Major Joseph Foss, one of the Marine Corps’ best-known fighter aces. The unit was formed on 1 July 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California, as Marine Fighting Squadron 115, or VMF-115. It initially flew the F4U Corsair and entered the Pacific campaign in 1944. During operations in the Philippines, the squadron performed close air support, fighter-cover, and deep-strike missions in areas including Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. It later operated in China after the Second World War, supporting the protection of American interests and Marine activities connected with the Japanese surrender. Its Second World War record included thousands of combat sorties, substantial flight hours, and significant aircraft and personnel losses. VMF-115 became the first Marine Corps squadron equipped with the Grumman F9F-2 Panther in 1949. During the Korean War it conducted carrier qualification, deployed to Korea, and flew close-air-support and interdiction missions in support of major battles. The unit participated in operations associated with the Chosin Reservoir and the battles of Bunker Hill, the Hook, Reno, Carson-Elko, Vegas, Berlin, and East Berlin. It also took part in the 1952 attack on the Sui-ho Dam. In 1957 it transitioned to the Douglas F4D-1 Skyray and was redesignated VMF(AW)-115, reflecting its all-weather fighter role. Cold War deployments included the Mediterranean aboard USS Independence and operations connected with the Cuban Missile Crisis. The squadron transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II in the mid-1960s and adopted the VMFA-115 designation. It deployed to Da Nang Air Base in 1965 and conducted extensive combat operations during the Vietnam War, including close air support and fighter missions during the Tet Offensive, the Battle of Hue, the Battle of Khe Sanh, and Operation Linebacker. In 1972 it moved operations from Japan to Da Nang and then to Nam Phong Royal Thai Air Base, from which it continued strikes and support missions over Vietnam. Its Vietnam service brought major unit recognition, including the Robert M. Hanson Award. After relocating to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in 1977, VMFA-115 undertook carrier operations and Cold War interception missions. In 1985 it replaced the Phantom II with the F/A-18A Hornet and formally re-established itself with the new aircraft that August. The Silver Eagles subsequently participated in Western Pacific deployments, the Marine Corps Unit Deployment Program, and contingency operations in the Philippines. The squadron received repeated maintenance and operational honors during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In the twenty-first century, VMFA-115 operated upgraded F/A-18A+ and later F/A-18C/D aircraft. It deployed aboard USS Harry S. Truman for Operation Iraqi Freedom, supported later Iraq operations and the 2004 Iraqi elections, and conducted deployments across Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Bahrain, and the wider Middle East. Its final F/A-18 deployment ran from March to October 2023. The squadron deactivated from Marine Aircraft Group 31 on 9 November 2023 and was scheduled to be re-established at Cherry Point as an F-35C Lightning II unit under Marine Aircraft Group 14. Reference material identifies the squadron as an F-35C squadron and reports an initial F-35C flight at Cherry Point in July 2026.
History
VMFA-115 was organized on 1 July 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara as VMF-115, a Corsair-equipped Marine fighter squadron. Major Joseph Foss assumed command shortly afterward, giving rise to the informal Joe's Jokers identity. The squadron entered the Pacific campaign in 1944 and supported American operations in the Philippines through close air support, fighter cover, and deep strikes. After the war it deployed to Peking, China, where it performed air-presence and convoy-protection duties while Marines supervised postwar activities and the surrender of Japan. In 1949 the unit became the first Marine Corps squadron to receive the F9F-2 Panther. It carrier-qualified its pilots aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1950 and deployed to Korea in 1952. During the Korean War it flew extensive combat-support and attack missions, including operations near the Chosin Reservoir and the battles of Bunker Hill, the Hook, Reno, Carson-Elko, Vegas, Berlin, and East Berlin. It also participated in the attack on the Sui-ho Dam. In 1957 the squadron received the Douglas F4D-1 Skyray, was redesignated VMF(AW)-115, and spent part of the following period in testing and all-weather fighter work. Mediterranean and Caribbean deployments included a cruise aboard USS Independence and support of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The unit converted to the F-4B Phantom II in 1964–65 and became VMFA-115. It arrived at Da Nang Air Base on 14 October 1965 for the Vietnam War. Over the course of the conflict it flew more than 34,000 combat sorties, supporting Marine ground forces and conducting fighter and strike operations during the Tet Offensive, the Battle of Hue, Khe Sanh, Task Force Delta, and Operation Linebacker. In 1971 it moved to Iwakuni, Japan. In 1972 it returned to Da Nang during the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive and subsequently operated from Nam Phong in Thailand. The squadron received the Robert M. Hanson Award for its 1972 performance. Following a 1977 move to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, VMFA-115 conducted carrier and Cold War missions, including interception and escort of Soviet aircraft. It transitioned from the Phantom II to the F/A-18A Hornet in 1985 and adopted the Silver Eagles name the following year. Western Pacific Unit Deployment Program rotations, Philippine contingency support during a 1989 coup attempt, and repeated deployments in the 1990s established the squadron's modern expeditionary pattern. It earned the Hanson Award in 1987, 1988, and 1990 and received the Secretary of Defense Phoenix Award for Maintenance Excellence. After receiving F/A-18A+ aircraft and returning to carrier operations, the Silver Eagles deployed with Carrier Air Wing 3 aboard USS Harry S. Truman in 2002. They flew combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and returned to Iraq in 2004 to support close air support and security requirements surrounding the country's elections. Subsequent deployments included the Western Pacific, Bahrain, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, and Saudi Arabia. The 2008 Al Asad deployment was notable because VMFA-115 was described as the Marine Corps' first forward-air-controller-capable single-seat F/A-18 squadron to operate there. The squadron continued Hornet deployments through the COVID-19-restricted 2020 rotation, the 2021–22 Saudi Arabia deployment, and its final F/A-18 deployment from March to October 2023. It deactivated from Marine Aircraft Group 31 on 9 November 2023 and was slated to return at Cherry Point as an F-35C squadron under Marine Aircraft Group 14. Reference material identifies a first F-35C flight in July 2026 and preparation for reactivation. Its listed unit honors include multiple Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, campaign, service, and foreign-government citation streamers.
- 2026
Reported first F-35C flight
[1]Reference material reports the squadron's first F-35C flight at MCAS Cherry Point while preparing for reactivation.
- 2023
Final F/A-18 deployment and deactivation
[1]The final Hornet deployment ended in October, followed by deactivation from MAG-31 on 9 November.
- 2008
Deployed to Al Asad Airbase
[1]The squadron conducted an Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment described as the first Marine forward-air-controller-capable single-seat F/A-18 unit at Al Asad.
- 2003
Combat operations in Iraq
[1]VMFA-115 flew in Operation Iraqi Freedom and delivered more than 150 tons of ordnance.
- 1986
Adopted the Silver Eagles identity
[1]The squadron became officially known as the Silver Eagles.
- 1985
Transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet
[1]The squadron replaced its Phantom IIs with F/A-18A Hornets and formally stood up with the new aircraft later that year.
- 1965
Began Vietnam War deployment
[1]After converting to the F-4B Phantom II, the squadron deployed to Da Nang and adopted the VMFA-115 designation.
- 1957
Converted to the Douglas F4D-1 Skyray
[1]The unit received the Marine Corps' first Skyrays and was redesignated VMF(AW)-115.
- 1952
Deployed to the Korean War
[1]The unit began combat operations from Korea and participated in extensive close-air-support and attack missions.
- 1949
First Marine squadron equipped with the F9F-2 Panther
[1]VMF-115 became the first Marine Corps squadron to receive the Grumman Panther jet.
Products and positioning
A combat aviation unit specializing in expeditionary fighter-attack, air defense, close air support, strike, and carrier operations for the United States Marine Corps.
Fighter aircraft · 1943
F4U Corsair
The squadron's initial aircraft. VMF-115 used the Corsair for Pacific combat missions involving close air support, fighter cover, and deep strikes during the Second World War.
Jet fighter · 1949
Grumman F9F-2 Panther
Received in 1949, the Panther made VMF-115 the first Marine Corps squadron equipped with the type. The aircraft formed the basis of its Korean War jet operations.
All-weather interceptor · 1957
Douglas F4D-1 Skyray
Introduced in 1957, the Skyray led to the VMF(AW)-115 redesignation and was used during a period of testing and all-weather fighter operations.
Fighter-bomber · 1964
McDonnell F-4B Phantom II
The Phantom II became the squadron's Vietnam-era aircraft. VMFA-115 used it for close air support, fighter missions, and strikes from bases in Vietnam and Thailand.
Multirole fighter-attack aircraft · 1985
F/A-18A+ and F/A-18C/D Hornet
Hornets served as the squadron's principal aircraft from the 1985 transition until its final F/A-18 deployment in 2023. They supported carrier, expeditionary, close-air-support, air-defense, and strike missions.
Carrier-capable stealth multirole fighter · 2026
F-35C Lightning II
The squadron is planned to reactivate as an F-35C unit at MCAS Cherry Point under Marine Aircraft Group 14. Reference material reports an initial squadron F-35C flight in July 2026.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021CENTCOM dynamic force employment
Saudi Arabia · Middle East
The squadron deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base on short notice and supported Operation Inherent Resolve, regional partnerships, and deterrence objectives.
Outcome. The original 45-day deployment was extended through March 2022.
- 2018Operation Inherent Resolve
Middle East
VMFA-115 flew missions in support of the coalition campaign against the Islamic State.
Outcome. The squadron continued its expeditionary strike and support role.
- 2004Iraq election security operations
Iraq
The squadron provided close air support and overhead security during operations supporting Iraq's historic democratic elections.
Outcome. The deployment extended the squadron's Iraq mission from direct combat to security and support operations.
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq
The Silver Eagles conducted combat operations against Iraqi forces while deployed with Carrier Air Wing 3 aboard USS Harry S. Truman.
Outcome. The squadron delivered more than 150 tons of ordnance.
- 1989Philippine coup-attempt contingency
Philippines
The squadron flew armed combat air patrol and escort missions in support of Philippine government forces during a coup attempt.
Outcome. Its presence supported efforts to stabilize the situation.
- 1965Vietnam War
Vietnam · Thailand
VMFA-115 operated from Da Nang and later Nam Phong, flying close air support, fighter, and strike missions during the Vietnam conflict.
Outcome. The squadron supported major operations including Tet, Hue, Khe Sanh, and Linebacker and received the 1972 Hanson Award.
- 1952Korean War
Korean Peninsula
The squadron flew close-air-support and attack missions from Korea, including operations associated with major Marine battles and the Sui-ho Dam attack.
Outcome. The squadron maintained a high operational tempo and sustained aircraft and pilot losses during the war.
- 1944Pacific campaign and Philippine operations
Philippines · Mindanao · Sulu Archipelago
VMF-115 provided close air support, fighter cover, and deep air strikes during the American campaign in the Philippines.
Outcome. The unit contributed to Allied operations and was credited with extensive combat flying.
Brand decisions
2023
Planned conversion to the F-35CGeneration changeBackground
The squadron completed its final F/A-18 deployment and was deactivated from MAG-31.
Action taken
The Marine Corps planned to reactivate VMFA-115 at Cherry Point under MAG-14 as an F-35C squadron.
Aftermath
Reference material reports an initial F-35C flight in July 2026 and preparation for reactivation.
2001
Return to carrier operationsStrategyBackground
The squadron's return to carrier status coincided with the delivery of the F/A-18A+ modification.
Action taken
Personnel qualified for carrier operations and prepared to deploy with Carrier Air Wing 3.
Aftermath
The unit deployed aboard USS Harry S. Truman and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
1985
Transition to the F/A-18 HornetGeneration changeBackground
After more than two decades with the Phantom II, the squadron moved to a modern multirole fighter.
Action taken
VMFA-115 began converting to the F/A-18A and formally re-established with 14 aircraft in August.
Aftermath
The Hornet enabled later carrier, expeditionary, air-defense, and strike deployments.
1965
Transition to the F-4B Phantom IIGeneration changeBackground
The squadron required a more capable jet fighter for expanding Marine aviation operations.
Action taken
The unit converted to the Phantom II and became VMFA-115.
Aftermath
The aircraft supported the squadron's extensive Vietnam War combat role.
1957
Transition to the Douglas F4D-1 SkyrayGeneration changeBackground
The Marine Corps introduced the Skyray as the squadron's next-generation all-weather fighter.
Action taken
VMF-115 received the aircraft and adopted the VMF(AW)-115 designation.
Aftermath
The unit conducted testing and all-weather fighter operations before later aircraft transitions.
Sources1 sources
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