Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314
An active United States Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II fighter-attack squadron known as the Black Knights.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, commonly designated VMFA-314 and nicknamed the Black Knights, is an active United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California. It operates under Marine Aircraft Group 11 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and deploys with the United States Navy’s Carrier Air Wing Nine. The squadron’s principal aircraft is the F-35C Lightning II, the carrier-capable variant of the Joint Strike Fighter. The unit was established as Marine Fighting Squadron 314 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on 1 October 1943. Initially known as Bob’s Cats, it flew the F4U Corsair and trained for combat in the Pacific during the Second World War. The squadron deployed to the Pacific in 1944 and later participated in the Battle of Okinawa from Ie Shima. Its pilots were credited with 11 aerial victories during that campaign, and the squadron received the Presidential Unit Citation. After Japan’s surrender, it served with occupation forces before returning to the United States and being decommissioned in April 1947. VMF-314 was reactivated in 1952 at Marine Corps Air Station Miami. It transitioned from the Corsair to the F9F Panther and conducted deployments to Puerto Rico and Japan. In 1957, it received the F4D Skyray, became VMF(AW)-314, and adopted the Black Knights identity. The unit operated ashore and from aircraft carriers in the western Pacific and the Far East. In 1961, it became the first Marine squadron to transition to the F-4B Phantom II and adopted the VMFA-314 designation. During the Vietnam War, VMFA-314 operated from Chu Lai and Da Nang between 1965 and 1970. It flew more than 25,000 combat hours and delivered large quantities of air-to-ground ordnance in support of Marine and allied ground forces. The unit received several honors during and after the conflict, including the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award, the Robert M. Hanson Marine Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year Award, the Commandant’s Aviation Efficiency Trophy, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation. The squadron became the first tactical Navy or Marine Corps unit to employ the F/A-18A Hornet when it began receiving the aircraft in 1982. It subsequently participated in Mediterranean operations, including Freedom of Navigation activities near Libya and combat operations associated with Operation El Dorado Canyon. During the 1991 Gulf War, VMFA-314 deployed to Bahrain for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. It flew more than 1,500 hours and 814 combat sorties involving escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, fighter sweeps, and strike missions, returning without losing a squadron aircraft or member. In the 1990s and 2000s, VMFA-314 deployed with Carrier Air Wing Nine and supported operations including Southern Watch, Continue Hope, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. The squadron was among the first Marine units to conduct offensive operations against the Islamic State during Operation Inherent Resolve. In 2019, it retired its F/A-18A++ aircraft and began transition training on the F-35C. It received its first F-35C in January 2020, becoming the first Marine Corps squadron to transition to that variant. In January 2022, it deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln as part of Carrier Air Wing Nine, becoming the first Marine Corps F-35C squadron to conduct an aircraft-carrier deployment.
History
VMFA-314 was commissioned as Marine Fighting Squadron 314 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on 1 October 1943. Flying the F4U Corsair, it trained with Marine Aircraft Group 32 before moving to the Pacific. The squadron reached Marine Corps Air Station Ewa in June 1944, later deployed to Midway Atoll, and returned to Ewa before moving to Ie Shima in May 1945 for operations during the Battle of Okinawa. It was credited with 11 aerial victories and received the Presidential Unit Citation. Following Japan’s surrender, it served in the occupation of Japan and returned to the United States before being decommissioned on 30 April 1947. The squadron was reactivated at MCAS Miami in 1952. It flew the Corsair and then transitioned to the F9F Panther. Deployments included Puerto Rico and an extended tour in Japan. In 1957, the unit began operating the F4D Skyray, received the VMF(AW)-314 designation, and formally adopted the Black Knights name. Its activities included operations in the Far East, support for Taiwan, and carrier deployments aboard USS Hancock and USS Ticonderoga. In 1961, it became the first Marine squadron to transition to the F-4B Phantom II and received the VMFA-314 designation. From 1965 through 1970, VMFA-314 supported the Vietnam War from Chu Lai and Da Nang. It accumulated more than 25,000 combat hours and employed over 100 million pounds of ordnance in support of ground forces. The squadron received major aviation and unit awards during this period, including the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award and the Hanson Trophy. In September 1970, it ended 49 months of deployed combat operations and received a Meritorious Unit Commendation. The unit transitioned to the F/A-18A Hornet in 1982, becoming the first tactical Navy or Marine Corps squadron to employ the aircraft. Its 1985 Mediterranean deployment with Carrier Air Wing 13 included Freedom of Navigation operations near Libya and participation in Operation El Dorado Canyon. In 1990, it was rapidly deployed to Bahrain for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During Desert Storm it flew 814 combat sorties and more than 1,500 hours, performing escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, fighter-sweep, and strike missions. After the Gulf War, VMFA-314 continued carrier and expeditionary deployments. It supported Operation Southern Watch over southern Iraq, Operation Continue Hope off Somalia, Operation Noble Eagle after the September 2001 attacks, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. It later deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and participated in combat operations against ISIS during Operation Inherent Resolve. The squadron moved from MCAS El Toro to MCAS Miramar in 1994 and received newer F/A-18C aircraft during the decade. On 21 June 2019, VMFA-314 retired its F/A-18A++ aircraft and began transition to the F-35C Lightning II. Its first F-35C arrived on 21 January 2020. On 3 January 2022, the squadron departed San Diego aboard USS Abraham Lincoln as part of Carrier Air Wing Nine, becoming the first Marine Corps F-35C squadron to deploy aboard an aircraft carrier. The unit remains associated with Marine Aircraft Group 11, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Carrier Air Wing Nine.
- 2022
First Marine Corps F-35C carrier deployment
[1]The squadron deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln with Carrier Air Wing Nine.
- 2020
First F-35C received
[1]VMFA-314 received its first F-35C Lightning II on 21 January.
- 2019
F/A-18A++ retirement
[1]The squadron retired its F/A-18A++ aircraft and commenced F-35C transition training.
- 1991
Operation Desert Storm
[1]The squadron flew 814 combat sorties and more than 1,500 hours during the Gulf War.
- 1982
First Marine tactical F/A-18 operator
[1]VMFA-314 received the F/A-18A Hornet and became the first tactical Navy or Marine Corps squadron to operate the type.
- 1965
Vietnam combat deployment
[1]The squadron began combat operations in Vietnam from Chu Lai and Da Nang.
- 1961
Transition to the F-4B Phantom II
[1]VMFA-314 became the first Marine squadron to transition to the F-4B Phantom II.
- 1957
Black Knights identity adopted
[1]The squadron began operating the F4D Skyray, received the VMF(AW)-314 designation, and formally adopted the Black Knights nickname.
- 1945
Battle of Okinawa operations
[1]The squadron operated from Ie Shima during the Okinawa campaign and received the Presidential Unit Citation.
- 1943
Squadron commissioned
[1]Marine Fighting Squadron 314 was established at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on 1 October.
Products and positioning
A combat aviation squadron positioned at the intersection of Marine Corps expeditionary aviation and U.S. Navy carrier air operations, with an emphasis on fighter-attack capability, interoperability, and advanced F-35C operations.
Carrier-capable fighter aircraft · 2020
F-35C Lightning II
The squadron’s current aircraft is the F-35C, the carrier-capable variant of the Joint Strike Fighter. It provides multirole fighter and attack capability, including air defense, strike, reconnaissance, and networked operations from aircraft carriers and expeditionary bases.
Fighter-attack aircraft · 1982
F/A-18 Hornet
VMFA-314 operated F/A-18A++ and F/A-18C aircraft from 1982 until its transition to the F-35C. The Hornet supported carrier operations, air superiority, air-to-ground attack, escort, and suppression of enemy air defenses.
Fighter-attack aircraft · 1961
F-4 Phantom II
The F-4B Phantom II enabled the squadron’s transition into supersonic, carrier-capable fighter-attack operations. VMFA-314 was the first Marine squadron to transition to this aircraft in 1961 and later used the type extensively in Vietnam.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Operation Inherent Resolve
Middle East
VMFA-314 became the first U.S. Marine squadron to conduct offensive operations against ISIS in support of the campaign against the organization.
- 2009Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq
The squadron deployed to Al Asad Airbase and conducted combat operations in Iraq.
Outcome. The deployment lasted from March through September 2009.
- 2001Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghanistan · Western Pacific · Persian Gulf
Following the September 11 attacks, VMFA-314’s deployment was accelerated and the squadron flew combat sorties in support of operations in Afghanistan.
Outcome. The squadron delivered more than 69,000 pounds of ordnance and completed an extended deployment.
- 1991Operation Desert Storm
Persian Gulf
The squadron conducted escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, fighter-sweep, and strike missions during the Gulf War.
Outcome. It flew 814 combat sorties and returned without losing a squadron aircraft or member.
- 1965Vietnam War
South Vietnam
VMFA-314 flew combat missions from Chu Lai and Da Nang in support of Marine and allied ground forces.
Outcome. The squadron completed more than 25,000 combat hours and received multiple unit and aviation awards.
- 1945Battle of Okinawa
Pacific theater
Operating from Ie Shima, the squadron conducted combat missions during the Okinawa campaign and was credited with 11 aerial victories.
Outcome. The squadron received the Presidential Unit Citation.
Brand decisions
2019
Transition to the F-35C Lightning IIGeneration changeBackground
The squadron’s F/A-18A++ aircraft reached the end of their service role as the Marine Corps introduced the carrier-capable F-35C.
Action taken
VMFA-314 retired its F/A-18A++ aircraft and began F-35C training.
Aftermath
The squadron received its first F-35C in January 2020 and later conducted the first Marine Corps F-35C carrier deployment.
1982
Transition to the F/A-18A HornetGeneration changeBackground
The Marine Corps replaced the squadron’s F-4 aircraft with the new F/A-18 platform.
Action taken
VMFA-314 received F/A-18 aircraft and became the first tactical Navy or Marine Corps squadron to employ the type.
Aftermath
The Hornet became the squadron’s principal fighter-attack aircraft for several decades.
Recent events
- 2022
First Marine Corps F-35C carrier deployment[1]
Other
VMFA-314 deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln with Carrier Air Wing Nine, establishing the squadron as the first Marine Corps F-35C unit to deploy on an aircraft carrier.
- 2020
VMFA-314 receives its first F-35C aircraft[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The squadron received its first F-35C on 21 January 2020, becoming the first Marine Corps squadron to transition to the carrier-capable variant.
- 2019
VMFA-314 begins transition from F/A-18A++ to F-35C[1]
Product generation
The squadron retired its F/A-18A++ aircraft and began training for operation of the F-35C Lightning II.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/marine-fighter-attack-squadron-314 · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled