Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225
An active United States Marine Corps fighter attack squadron, known as the Vikings, that operates the F-35B Lightning II from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225, commonly designated VMFA-225 and nicknamed the Vikings, is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. It operates the short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing F-35B Lightning II and is assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron is part of the Marine Corps' expeditionary aviation structure, whose purpose is to provide aviation support to Marine ground forces and to operate from austere land bases, amphibious assault ships, and other forward locations. The unit was commissioned as Marine Fighting Squadron 225 on 1 January 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, California. During the Second World War it flew the F4U Corsair and conducted combat operations in the New Hebrides from August 1944 through January 1945. After returning to the United States, the squadron operated from several Marine and naval air stations before being redesignated Marine Attack Squadron 225 in June 1952. The change reflected its transition from a fighter designation to an attack-oriented role during the postwar period. In the 1950s, the squadron was trained for special-weapons delivery, a role associated with the Marine Corps' Cold War nuclear-delivery capability. Its Vietnam-era history included a notable early deployment to Chu Lai Air Base in South Vietnam. On 1 June 1965, VMA-225 became the first Marine tactical fixed-wing squadron to land at Chu Lai for combat operations. It flew the A-4 Skyhawk and provided strike and close-air-support missions against Viet Cong forces. In 1966, the squadron converted to the Grumman A-6 Intruder, gaining an all-weather attack capability and receiving the designation VMA(AW)-225, with “AW” denoting all-weather operations. The A-6 period included support for Marine ground forces in the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, and a deployment to Da Nang Air Base in 1969. In Vietnam, the squadron conducted day, night, and adverse-weather attacks, supported allied forces in South Vietnam's I Corps area, and used the Intruder's radar capabilities for interdiction missions, including attacks against traffic associated with the Ho Chi Minh Trail. VMA(AW)-225 returned to the United States in 1971 and was deactivated on 15 June 1972. The squadron was reactivated at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, on 1 July 1991. It was redesignated Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 and equipped with the two-seat F/A-18D Hornet. During the post-Cold War era and the Global War on Terrorism, VMFA(AW)-225 participated in operations in the Middle East. It deployed to Kuwait in January 2003 and became the first Marine fighter squadron deployed to the region in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From Kuwait, it supported Operation Southern Watch and then flew combat missions during the invasion and subsequent operations in Iraq. The squadron also deployed to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq in 2007 and 2008. The Vikings completed their final Hornet flight on 23 January 2020 and formally transitioned to the F-35B Lightning II on 29 January 2021. This conversion changed the unit's principal aircraft while preserving its expeditionary fighter-attack mission. The F-35B combines stealth, advanced sensors, networked operations, and vertical landing capability, making it suitable for Marine Corps concepts centered on distributed operations and ship-based aviation. In July 2024, the squadron deployed with the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and conducted routine operations in the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of operations. Its current identity therefore combines a long history of fighter, attack, and all-weather strike operations with the Marine Corps' fifth-generation F-35B force.
History
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 traces its lineage to Marine Fighting Squadron 225, commissioned on 1 January 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, California. During the Second World War, the squadron flew F4U Corsairs and participated in combat operations in the New Hebrides between August 1944 and January 1945. After returning to the United States, it moved among several Marine and naval aviation facilities, including Cherry Point, Mojave, Santa Ana, and Edenton. On 15 June 1952 it was redesignated Marine Attack Squadron 225, reflecting the postwar emphasis on attack missions. During the early Cold War, the squadron trained for special-weapons delivery. In the Vietnam era it flew the A-4 Skyhawk and became an important Marine close-air-support and attack unit. On 1 June 1965, VMA-225 was the first Marine tactical fixed-wing squadron to land at Chu Lai Air Base. Its commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Baker, led the first combat mission from the base shortly after the landing. The squadron returned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in October 1965. In April 1966, the A-6 Intruder replaced the A-4. Because the Intruder provided an all-weather attack capability, the squadron was redesignated Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 225, or VMA(AW)-225. It supported Fleet Marine Force Atlantic units and conducted live-weapons training deployments to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. In January 1969, it deployed to Da Nang Air Base, where it provided close air support and direct air support to allied ground forces in South Vietnam's I Corps area. Its missions included day and night attacks in poor weather and interdiction of ground traffic using the Intruder's airborne moving-target-indicator radar. The unit returned to MCAS El Toro in May 1971 and was deactivated on 15 June 1972. The squadron was reactivated at MCAS El Toro on 1 July 1991 as Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225, VMFA(AW)-225. It operated the F/A-18D Hornet, a two-seat multirole aircraft used for air-to-ground attack, close air support, and other Marine aviation missions. In January 2003, the Vikings deployed to Kuwait and supported Operation Southern Watch. They subsequently flew combat sorties during Operation Iraqi Freedom, making the squadron the first Marine fighter squadron deployed to the Middle East in support of that operation. Further deployments to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq occurred in 2007 and 2008. The unit ended its Hornet era with a final F/A-18D flight on 23 January 2020. It officially transitioned to the F-35B Lightning II on 29 January 2021. The transition brought stealth, advanced sensors, networked combat capabilities, and short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing performance to the squadron. The F-35B supports the Marine Corps' expeditionary model by allowing operations from amphibious assault ships, prepared airfields, and selected austere locations. In July 2024, VMFA-225 deployed with USS Boxer as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and operated in the U.S. Seventh Fleet area. The squadron remains based at MCAS Yuma under Marine Aircraft Group 13 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
- 2024
Deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
[1]The squadron deployed aboard USS Boxer and operated in the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of operations.
- 2021
F-35B transition completed
[1]VMFA-225 officially transitioned to the F-35B Lightning II on 29 January 2021.
- 2020
Final F/A-18D flight
[1]The squadron conducted its last Hornet flight on 23 January 2020.
- 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment
[1]The Vikings deployed to Kuwait, supported Operation Southern Watch, and then flew combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- 1991
Reactivation as VMFA(AW)-225
[1]The unit was reactivated at MCAS El Toro on 1 July 1991 and equipped with F/A-18D Hornets.
- 1972
Deactivation
[1]The squadron was deactivated on 15 June 1972 after returning from its Vietnam-era service.
- 1969
Deployment to Da Nang
[1]VMA(AW)-225 deployed to Da Nang Air Base to provide all-weather close air support, direct air support, and interdiction in South Vietnam.
- 1966
Conversion to the A-6 Intruder
[1]The squadron replaced its A-4 Skyhawks with A-6 Intruders and adopted the VMA(AW)-225 all-weather attack designation.
- 1965
First Marine tactical fixed-wing squadron at Chu Lai
[1]VMA-225 landed at Chu Lai Air Base on 1 June 1965 and began combat operations against Viet Cong forces.
- 1952
Redesignated VMA-225
[1]The squadron was redesignated Marine Attack Squadron 225 on 15 June 1952.
Products and positioning
A Marine Corps expeditionary fighter-attack unit focused on fifth-generation F-35B operations, close air support, precision strike, air-to-ground attack, and integration with amphibious and forward-deployed forces.
Fifth-generation fighter aircraft · 2021
F-35B Lightning II
The squadron's current aircraft. The F-35B is a short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing variant designed for Marine Corps expeditionary operations. It provides stealth, advanced sensors, precision strike, air-to-air capability, and networked battlefield information while retaining the ability to operate from amphibious assault ships and suitable forward bases.
Multirole fighter-attack aircraft · 1991
F/A-18D Hornet
The squadron's principal aircraft after its 1991 reactivation. The two-seat F/A-18D supported Marine air-to-ground attack, close air support, and expeditionary combat operations, including deployments connected with Operation Iraqi Freedom. VMFA(AW)-225 completed its final Hornet flight in January 2020.
All-weather attack aircraft · 1966
A-6 Intruder
The A-6 replaced the squadron's A-4 Skyhawk in 1966 and gave it a dedicated all-weather attack capability. During the Vietnam War, the aircraft was used for close air support, direct air support, night and adverse-weather strike missions, and radar-assisted interdiction.
Attack aircraft
A-4 Skyhawk
The squadron's principal attack aircraft during its 1965 deployment to Chu Lai. The A-4 supported early Marine tactical aviation operations in South Vietnam before being replaced by the A-6 Intruder the following year.
Fighter aircraft · 1944
F4U Corsair
The F4U Corsair was operated by the squadron during its Second World War combat service in the New Hebrides from 1944 to early 1945.
Marketing campaigns
- 202415th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment
U.S. Seventh Fleet area of operations
The F-35B-equipped squadron deployed aboard USS Boxer as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and conducted routine maritime and expeditionary operations.
Outcome. The deployment demonstrated the squadron's post-transition role in ship-based fifth-generation Marine aviation.
- 2007Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment
Iraq
VMFA(AW)-225 deployed to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Outcome. The squadron continued expeditionary combat aviation operations with the F/A-18D.
- 2003Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom
Kuwait · Iraq
The Vikings deployed to Kuwait, supported enforcement of the Iraqi no-fly zone under Operation Southern Watch, and then conducted combat sorties during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Outcome. The deployment established VMFA(AW)-225 as an early Marine fighter-squadron participant in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- 1991Post-Cold War F/A-18D operations
United States · Expeditionary operating locations
After reactivation, the squadron operated F/A-18D Hornets as a Marine all-weather fighter-attack unit.
Outcome. The Hornet period continued until the squadron's transition to the F-35B Lightning II.
- 1969Vietnam War operations from Da Nang
South Vietnam · Southeast Asia
VMA(AW)-225 provided close air support and direct air support for allied forces in I Corps, conducted day and night attacks in all weather, and performed radar-assisted interdiction against ground traffic.
Outcome. The unit returned to MCAS El Toro in May 1971 and was deactivated the following year.
- 1965Vietnam War operations from Chu Lai
South Vietnam
Flying A-4 Skyhawks, VMA-225 supported combat operations against Viet Cong forces and launched the first Marine tactical fixed-wing missions from Chu Lai Air Base.
Outcome. The squadron returned to MCAS Cherry Point in October 1965 and later converted to the A-6 Intruder.
- 1944Second World War operations in the New Hebrides
New Hebrides
VMF-225 flew F4U Corsairs in combat operations in the New Hebrides between August 1944 and January 1945.
Outcome. The squadron completed its wartime deployment and returned to the United States in February 1945.
Brand decisions
2021
Transition to the F-35B Lightning IIGeneration changeBackground
The Marine Corps was modernizing selected fighter-attack squadrons with the expeditionary F-35B fifth-generation aircraft.
Action taken
After its final F/A-18D flight in January 2020, VMFA-225 formally transitioned to the F-35B on 29 January 2021.
Aftermath
The Vikings acquired stealth, advanced sensor, networked-operation, and short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing capabilities for land- and ship-based missions.
1991
Reactivation as an all-weather fighter-attack squadronStrategyBackground
The Marine Corps reconstituted the unit during the post-Cold War period around the multirole F/A-18D Hornet.
Action taken
The squadron was reactivated at MCAS El Toro and redesignated VMFA(AW)-225.
Aftermath
It resumed operational service as a Marine fighter-attack unit and later deployed to the Middle East.
1966
Conversion from the A-4 Skyhawk to the A-6 IntruderGeneration changeBackground
The Marine Corps required greater all-weather attack and radar-based interdiction capability.
Action taken
The squadron replaced its A-4 Skyhawks with A-6 Intruders and adopted the VMA(AW)-225 designation.
Aftermath
The unit gained the ability to conduct more extensive day, night, and adverse-weather strike operations in Vietnam.
1952
Shift to the Marine attack-squadron designationStrategyBackground
The squadron's postwar mission evolved from its Second World War fighter identity toward Marine attack operations.
Action taken
It was redesignated from VMF-225 to VMA-225 on 15 June 1952.
Aftermath
The new designation remained associated with the unit through its A-4 and later A-6 attack-aircraft eras.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/marine-fighter-attack-squadron-225 · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled