Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232
A United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet fighter attack squadron known as the Red Devils.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, commonly identified by the designation VMFA-232 and nicknamed the Red Devils, is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, the squadron operates the F/A-18 Hornet in the fighter-attack role. Its responsibilities include air-to-ground attack, close air support, air defense, reconnaissance-related support, expeditionary operations, and the training and readiness activities required to deploy as part of a Marine air-ground task force. The squadron traces its lineage to VF-3M, commissioned at Naval Air Station San Diego on 1 September 1925. During its first overseas deployment, it operated Boeing FB-1 fighters in China in 1927 and 1928, conducting missions that included photography, mapping, reconnaissance, and support to Marine ground formations. Reorganizations led to several changes of designation, including VF-10M, VF-6M, VB-4M, VMB-2, VMSB-232, and VMTB-232. These changes reflected shifts among fighter, bombing, scout-bombing, and torpedo-bombing roles rather than a break in the unit's lineage. During World War II, the unit served in the Pacific. It fought at Guadalcanal as part of the Cactus Air Force with Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, later operated Grumman TBF and TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, and supported campaigns in the Solomon Islands, New Britain, the Bismarck Archipelago, and Okinawa. The squadron participated in strikes against Rabaul and flew close-air-support missions during the Battle of Okinawa. It lost personnel and aircraft during the war and was credited with two Presidential Unit Citations. The unit returned to San Diego in November 1945 and was temporarily deactivated. Reactivated as a Marine reserve fighter squadron in 1948, the Red Devils entered the jet era during the Korean War period. It operated the F4U Corsair, Grumman F9F Panther, FJ Fury, and F-8 Crusader, while its personnel supported overseas combat requirements even when the squadron itself did not deploy to Korea. In the 1960s it flew combat operations in Southeast Asia, initially with F-8 aircraft and later with McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs. Its Vietnam-era deployments included operations from Da Nang, Chu Lai, and Nam Phong in Thailand. In 1973 it became the last Marine squadron to leave the Vietnam War. The squadron transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet in 1989. It subsequently deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm, flying 740 combat missions and 1,390 hours during the 1991 conflict, and later participated in operations associated with the Global War on Terror, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In addition to combat deployments, the Red Devils have taken part in Western Pacific unit-deployment rotations, carrier-related operations, multinational exercises, and readiness training. The squadron is described in reference material as the Marine Corps' oldest and most decorated fighter squadron.
History
VMFA-232's lineage begins with VF-3M, commissioned at Naval Air Station San Diego on 1 September 1925. Initially equipped with Vought VE-7 aircraft, it soon received Boeing FB-1 fighters. In 1927 the squadron deployed to China aboard USS Henderson. After a period in the Philippines, it operated from Tientsin and Hsin-Ho, performing photography, mapping, reconnaissance, and support missions. During this deployment it was redesignated VF-10M and later VF-6M before returning to San Diego in October 1928. The interwar period brought repeated changes in aircraft and mission. The squadron flew Boeing FB-5s, Curtiss F6C-4s, Boeing F4B-4s, and Great Lakes BG-1 dive bombers. In 1933 it became VB-4M, a light-bombing squadron, and in 1937 it was redesignated VMB-2. It received Douglas SBD-1 Dauntless aircraft in 1940 and moved to Hawaii as Pacific tensions grew. On 1 July 1941 it became VMSB-232. During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, one squadron member was killed and many aircraft were destroyed or badly damaged. A detachment associated with the defense of Wake Island also suffered severe losses. The unit joined the Cactus Air Force at Guadalcanal in August 1942 and became the first Marine dive-bomber squadron to conduct combat operations against Japanese forces. After returning to California, it was redesignated VMTB-232 and re-equipped with Grumman TBF Avengers. It returned to the Pacific in 1943, operating from locations including Espiritu Santo, Munda, Piva, Green Island, Emirau, and Ulithi. It supported operations around Bougainville and conducted attacks against the Japanese base at Rabaul. A mine-laying mission at Simpson Harbour on 14 February 1944 resulted in the loss of six aircraft and eighteen men, with the surviving crewmen later dying in Japanese custody. In 1945 the squadron moved to Kadena and flew close air support during the Battle of Okinawa, followed by attacks against the Japanese mainland. It returned to San Diego in November 1945 and was deactivated. The Red Devils were reactivated on 3 June 1948 as a reserve fighter squadron at Floyd Bennett Field, New York, using the VMFA-232 designation. It moved to California during the Korean War period and operated the Corsair, Panther, Fury, and Crusader. Although the unit did not deploy as a complete squadron to Korea, many of its personnel were sent overseas. In the late 1950s it deployed to the Western Pacific during the Quemoy-Matsu crisis and later received F-8 Crusaders. During the Vietnam War, the squadron operated from Da Nang, Chu Lai, and Nam Phong. Its aircraft conducted extensive close air support and strike missions, including Operation Linebacker missions over North Vietnam. It lost three F-4J aircraft and two crewmen during its 1972 operations. In September 1973 it became the last Marine squadron to leave the Vietnam War. The unit then resumed readiness and Western Pacific deployments from Japan and Hawaii. The Red Devils transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet in 1989. It deployed to Bahrain for Operation Desert Storm in 1990–1991 and later returned to the Western Pacific. The squadron moved from Hawaii to El Toro in 1993 and subsequently to Miramar. It received recognition for extensive mishap-free flying and unit performance in the 1990s. In 2003 it deployed to Kuwait for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron's continuing role is to provide ready Marine fighter-attack aviation for expeditionary operations, training, exercises, and combat deployment.
- 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment
[1]The squadron deployed to Kuwait and participated in the invasion of Iraq.
- 1991
Operation Desert Storm
[1]The squadron completed 740 combat missions during the Gulf War and received a Navy Unit Commendation.
- 1989
F/A-18 transition completed
[1]The Red Devils completed their conversion from the F-4 Phantom II to the F/A-18 Hornet.
- 1973
Last Marine squadron to leave Vietnam
[1]VMFA-232 departed the Vietnam War in September, described in the reference material as the last Marine squadron to do so.
- 1966
Vietnam deployment
[1]The squadron began combat operations from Da Nang in the Vietnam War period.
- 1948
Reactivated as VMFA-232
[1]The Red Devils were reactivated as a reserve fighter squadron and received the designation they use today.
- 1945
Okinawa close air support
[1]Operating from Kadena, the squadron flew close air support during the Battle of Okinawa and later struck targets in Japan.
- 1942
Guadalcanal combat operations
[1]The squadron joined the Cactus Air Force and flew SBD Dauntless missions from Henderson Field.
- 1941
Redesignated VMSB-232
[1]The unit adopted the VMSB-232 designation shortly before the United States entered World War II.
- 1927
Deployment to China
[1]The squadron deployed to China and conducted aviation support, reconnaissance, photography, and mapping missions.
Products and positioning
An expeditionary Marine Corps fighter-attack squadron combining carrier-capable and land-based tactical aviation with close air support, strike, air defense, and forward-deployed readiness.
Fighter-attack aircraft · 1989
F/A-18 Hornet
The squadron's modern fighter-attack platform. The Hornet supports expeditionary strike, close air support, air defense, and related Marine Corps aviation missions. VMFA-232 completed its transition to the type in 1989.
Fighter-attack aircraft · 1967
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
A major Cold War and Vietnam-era aircraft operated by the squadron from the 1960s through the late 1980s. The type supported air-to-ground attacks and fighter missions in Southeast Asia and Western Pacific deployments.
Dive bomber · 1940
Douglas SBD Dauntless
The squadron's principal World War II dive bomber during its Guadalcanal and early Pacific operations. It enabled the unit to conduct attacks against Japanese forces as part of the Cactus Air Force.
Torpedo bomber · 1942
Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger
The Avenger equipped the squadron after its 1942 redesignation as VMTB-232. It was used for torpedo-bombing, strike, and mine-laying operations across the Pacific.
Marketing campaigns
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Kuwait · Iraq
The squadron deployed to Kuwait and participated in the invasion of Iraq with F/A-18 fighter-attack aircraft.
- 1991Operation Desert Storm
Kuwait · Iraq · Bahrain
Deployed to Bahrain, VMFA-232 crossed into Iraq at the beginning of the air campaign and flew combat missions supporting the liberation of Kuwait.
Outcome. The squadron completed 740 combat missions and received a Navy Unit Commendation.
- 1966Vietnam War operations
South Vietnam · North Vietnam · Thailand
The squadron flew extensive close air support and strike missions from Da Nang, Chu Lai, and Nam Phong, including missions associated with Operation Linebacker.
Outcome. The Red Devils became the last Marine squadron to leave the Vietnam War in September 1973.
- 1945Battle of Okinawa
Ryukyu Islands
From Kadena, the squadron flew close air support missions and later strikes against the Japanese mainland.
Outcome. Operations continued until Japan's surrender.
- 1943Rabaul and Bougainville operations
South Pacific
Using Avenger aircraft, the squadron supported the Allied advance around Bougainville and conducted repeated strikes against the isolated Japanese garrison at Rabaul.
Outcome. The unit continued moving among forward Pacific bases before joining the Okinawa campaign.
- 1942Guadalcanal campaign
Solomon Islands
Flying SBD Dauntless aircraft from Henderson Field, the squadron conducted combat operations against Japanese forces as part of the Cactus Air Force.
Outcome. The squadron left Guadalcanal in October 1942 for re-equipment in California.
- 1927China deployment
China
The squadron deployed to China and supported Marine ground forces while conducting reconnaissance, mapping, and photographic missions.
Outcome. The deployment ended with the squadron's return to San Diego in 1928.
Brand decisions
1989
Transition from the F-4 Phantom II to the F/A-18 HornetGeneration changeBackground
The squadron required a newer multirole fighter-attack aircraft for contemporary Marine Corps expeditionary operations.
Action taken
Aircrew trained at VMFAT-101 and maintenance personnel trained through the Hornet Fleet Replacement Aviation Maintenance Program before the squadron received its aircraft.
Aftermath
The transition was completed in June 1989 and established the F/A-18 as the squadron's principal combat aircraft.
Sources2 sources
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