| Marine Attack Squadron 211 | |
|---|---|
 VMA-211 Insignia |
|
| Active | January 1, 1937 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Attack |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of | Marine Aircraft Group 13 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Yuma |
| Nickname | "Wake Island Avengers" |
| Tail Code | CF |
| Engagements | World War II * Battle of Wake Island * Bougainville campaign (1943-45) * Philippines Campaign, 1944-45 * Battle of the Bismarck Sea * Battle of Leyte Gulf Vietnam War Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom * 2003 invasion of Iraq |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | AD-1 Skyraider A-4 Skyhawk AV-8B Harrier |
| Fighter | Grumman F3F-2 Brewster F2A-3 F4F Wildcat F4U Corsair |
Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211) is a United States Marine Corps attack squadron consisting of AV-8B Harrier (V/STOL) jets. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the In Military tactics, close air support ( CAS) is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to Air interdiction (AI is the use of aircraft to attack tactical ground targets that are not in close proximity to friendly ground forces Reconnaissance (also scouting) is a military and medical term denoting exploration conducted to gain information Marine Aircraft Group 13 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma that is currently composed of four AV-8B Harrier The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. Marine Corps Air Station Yuma or MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station which is the home to the AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine Tail codes are the markings usually on the vertical stabilizer of U World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Battle of Wake Island began simultaneously with the Attack on Pearl Harbor and ended on December 23, 1941, with the surrender of the American The Philippines campaign of 1944–45 was the Allied campaign to defeat Japanese forces occupying The Philippines, during World War II. The Battle of the Bismarck Sea was a battle in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA during World War II, in which planes of the United States Fifth The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battle for Leyte Gulf" the "Battles for Leyte Gulf" and formerly as the "Second Battle of the Philippine The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF is the official name used by the U The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia Ground-attack aircraft are military aircraft designed to attack targets on the ground and are often deployed as Close air support for and in proximity to their own ground forces WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A fighter aircraft is a Military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other Aircraft, as opposed to a Bomber, which is designed WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing (V/STOL is a term used to describe Aircraft that are able to take-off or land vertically or on short runways A turbofan is a type of Jet engine, similar to a Turbojet. It essentially consists of a Ducted fan with a smaller diameter turbojet engine Known as the "Wake Island Avengers," the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW). Marine Corps Air Station Yuma or MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station which is the home to the AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. Marine Aircraft Group 13 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma that is currently composed of four AV-8B Harrier The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps.
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Mission
Marine Attack Squadron (VMA)-211 is one of four AV-8B Harrier squadrons assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Marine Aircraft Group 13 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma that is currently composed of four AV-8B Harrier The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. Its mission is to provide offensive air support, armed reconnaissance, and air-defense for Marine expeditionary forces.
History
Early history
VMA-211 can trace its lineage to January 1, 1937 when Marine Fighting Squadron 4 (VF-4M) was activated at Naval Air Station San Diego, California[1]. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Although it was the second time a VF-4M had existed, the previous one was decommissioned in 1931 and it was not considered the same squadron. The squadron was decommissioned in 1933 and but was recommissioned as VF-8M in 1935. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1935 ( MCMXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. On July 1, 1937 VF-8M was redesignated Marine Fighting Squadron 2 (VMF-2) and by the end of the year, had completely reequipped with Grumman F3F-2s which replaced F3F-1s and a few even older F2F-1s. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The squadron particiapted in annual Fleet Problems while at San Diego and even played a part in the making of the movie "Dive Bomber. " Several future Medal of Honor receiptents served with the squadron during this period, including Henry Elrod, Robert Galer, and Gregory Boyington. Henry Talmage "Baron" Elrod (September 27 1905&ndashDecember 23 1941 was a Marine Corps aviator. Brigadier General Robert Edward Galer (October 24 1913&ndashJune 27 2005 was a Naval aviator in the United States Marine Corps who received the Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington USMC, (December 4 1912 - January 11 1988 was an American fighter ace. In January 1941, the squadron moved to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii and was redesignated VMF-211 on July 1, 1941. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Marine Corps Air Station Ewa (MCAS Ewa was a United States Marine Corps air station that was located west of Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu Hawaii The State of Hawaii ( or həˈwaɪʔiː Hawaiian: Mokuāina o Hawaii) is a state in the United States located on an Archipelago in the "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
World War II
In November 1941, VMF-211 flew 12 of its 24 Wildcats and 13 of its 29 pilots aboard the USS Enterprise for movement to Wake Island, the scene of the squadron's heroic battle. Initial operations Enterprise was launched on 3 October 1936 at Newport News Shipbuilding, sponsored by Lulie Swanson wife of Secretary of the Wake Island (also known as Wake Atoll) is a Coral atoll having a Coastline of 12 miles (19 kilometers in the North Pacific Ocean On December 8, 1941 the Japanese attacked, destroying seven of the 12 aircraft on the ground. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In the next two weeks, the remaining five planes repelled numerous attacks and inflicted great losses on the enemy. During the course of the defense, the Marine ground forces and VMF-211 caused the loss of at least four enemy warships, the first major Japanese naval vessels sunk during the Pacific war, and the squadron was credited with 8 aircraft destroyed. After the loss of its last aircraft, the squadron became a ground unit and fought until the surrender of atoll. The first Marine airman to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II was VMF-211's Henry T. Elrod. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Henry Talmage "Baron" Elrod (September 27 1905&ndashDecember 23 1941 was a Marine Corps aviator. A planned operation to reinforce Wake Island was deemed too dangerous by the fleet command, and on December 25 Wake Island was finally overrun by a numerically superior enemy. Events 274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian
The squadron's rear echelon at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa lost all but one of its twelve F4F-3s during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and even this lone survivor was lost when it was transferred to the Navy. Marine Corps Air Station Ewa (MCAS Ewa was a United States Marine Corps air station that was located west of Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu Hawaii The attack on Pearl Harbor (or Hawaii Operation, as it was called by the Imperial General Headquarters) was a surprise Military strike conducted by Slowly rebuilding as personnel and aircraft became available, the squadron, now under the command of Major Luther S. Moore was deployed in May 1942 to Palmyra Atoll in the South Pacific and adopted the name "Avengers" in memory of those squadron members who were killed or captured on Wake Island. Palmyra Atoll is an incorporated Atoll administered by the United States government. When first deployed, VMF-211 was equipped with the Brewster F2A-3 and it was not until July that sufficient numbers of Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats became available to re-equip the squadron. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout As the Pacific Campaign continued the squadron transitioned to the F4U Corsair for the remainder of the war. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout VMF-211 participated in the Treasury-Bougainville Campaign, Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Northern Solomon, Battle of Leyte Gulf and Southern Philippine campaigns. The Battle of the Bismarck Sea was a battle in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA during World War II, in which planes of the United States Fifth The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battle for Leyte Gulf" the "Battles for Leyte Gulf" and formerly as the "Second Battle of the Philippine
Post World War II
After World War II, VMF-211 participated in the occupation of China and returned to Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Field Edenton, North Carolina, in 1949[2]. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Northeastern Regional Airport is a public Airport located three miles (5 km) southeast of the Central business district (CBD of Edenton North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. While operating aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) in 1952, the squadron was redesignated Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211) when they transitioned to the AD-1 Skyraider. Early Milestones The ship promptly began a series of career milestones when on 27 April 1948, two P2V-2 Neptunes piloted by Commander Thomas D Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout In 1957, the squadron received its first A-4 Skyhawks and subsequently moved to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California in 1958. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located near Irvine California, at. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean.
Vietnam War
With escalation of the Vietnam conflict, VMA-211 moved to Japan in 1965 and commenced the first of four deployments to the Republic of Vietnam. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. "RVN" redirects here RVN is also the former callsign of a TV station in Wagga Wagga New South Wales Australia In August 1976, the squadron returned to MCAS El Toro where it replaced its old A-4Es with the latest Skyhawk model, the A-4M.
VMA 211 was deployed in the spring of 1972 to Naha Air Force base on Okinawa and within three months was redeployed to Bien Hoa Air Base in Viet Nam. It was the only stategic American fighting unit left in Viet Nam except for small Army Air Cav unit in Bien Hoa.
Post Vietnam
In September 1987, the squadron celebrated an aviation milestone when it passed 30 years of flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. After successfully completing the last overseas deployment with the A-4M Skyhawk in 1989, VMA-211 began transferring these aircraft to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in preparation for transition to the AV-8B Night Attack aircraft. The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is the reserve airwing of the United States Marine Corps. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout In June of 1990 the squadron began flying the Night Attack variant of the Harrier. During this time the Avengers were awarded Marine Corps Aviation Association "Attack Squadron of the Year" three times, in 1995, 1996, and 1998.
In September 2000, the squadron began introduction of the latest Harrier variant, the AV-8B II+ radar aircraft. The squadron soon fielded a complement of both Radar and Night Attack Harriers.
Global War on Terror
After the September 11 terror attacks, the squadron deployed to the Arabian Sea aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6). Mission The primary mission of USS Bonhomme Richard is to embark deploy and land elements of a Marine landing force in amphibious assault operations by Helicopter The Avengers participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, flying combat missions against targets in Afghanistan from January to March of 2002. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF is the official name used by the U Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت,
After a short break, the following January found the Avengers aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. This time the squadron was headed for the Persian Gulf, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Persian Gulf, in the Southwest Asian region is an extension of the The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign In one month of combat flying, the squadron flew over 360 sorties and 640 hours of flight time. The squadron returned to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in May 2003. Marine Corps Air Station Yuma or MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station which is the home to the AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine
In September of 2006, the Avengers again deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Al Asad Air Base. Al Asad Airbase (once known as Qadisiyah Airbase is the largest US military Airbase in the largely Sunni western Iraq Province of Al Anbar Province
Squadron aces
A flying ace or fighter ace is a naval aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. A United States Naval Aviator is a pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard. The following Marines from VMA-211 have been credited with more than five victories:
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See also
References
- Notes
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps. While other nations have Marines who are aviators only the United States Marine Corps has its own dedicated Aviation arm This is a list of all of the active Squadrons that currently exist in the United States Marine Corps, sorted by type The public domain is a range of abstract materials &ndash commonly referred to as Intellectual property &ndash which are not owned or controlled by anyone
- ^ Rottman p. 441.
- ^ Rottman p. 441.
- ^ List of WW2 Marine Aces, www. acepilots. com, 21 December 2007
- Bibliography
- Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U. S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945. ’’. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
- Sherrod, Robert (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Washington, D. C. : Combat Forces Press.
- Shettle Jr. , M. L. (2001). United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II. Bowersville, Georgia: Schaertel Publishing Co. . ISBN 0-964-33882-3.
- Web
External links
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