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VMA(AW)-225 VIKINGS



VMA(AW)-225

Marine Fighting Squadron 225 was commissioned Jan. 1, 1943, and designated VMF-225. The squadron was founded at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, Calif. with Captain Jack R. Amends as its first commanding officer. From August 1944 to January 1945, the Corsairs of VMF-225 participated in numerous combat operations in the New Hebrides Islands.

Returning to the United States in February 1945, VMF-225 was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, N.C., with interim stops at Mojave and Santa Barbara, Calif. From 1946 to 1952 the squadron made five Mediterranean cruises with the U.S. Sixth Fleet. VMF-225 was redesignated VMA-225 on Jun. 17, 1952, and was based at Edenton, N.C. In 1954, the squadron replaced its Corsairs with the new AD Skyraider at Edenton and made two deployments to Naval Air Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.

In May 1958, the A-4D Skyhawk replaced the Skyraider, and in October the squadron moved back to MCAS Cherry Point. During the next three years the squadron made two Mediterranean cruises. The first was aboard the USS Essex from August 1959 to February 1960; the second was aboard the Shangri-La January 1961. VMA-225 became the first Marine squadron to deploy and conduct night operations aboard USS Enterprise, spending the last three months of 1962 aboard the "Big E" during the Cuban Missile crisis. In March 1963, VMA-225 became the first to operate independently at night from a Short Airfield for Tactical Support (SATS) at Marine Corps Air Facility Bogue Field, N.C. In 1964, VMA-225 set a carrier qualification record aboard the USS Lexington. VMA-225 also established an all-time record for total deployments by a Marine squadron aboard aircraft carriers.

The next major deployment of VMA-225 came September 1964, when the squadron received orders to Japan. In May 1965, the squadron moved to Chu Lai for participation in combat operations against Viet Cong forces in South Vietnam.
VMA-225 returned to MCAS Cherry Point in October 1965. In April 1966 the Grumman built A-6A Intruder replaced the A-4 Skyhawk as the squadron's combat ready aircraft. With the advent of the “Intruder” and it's all weather capability, the squadron was redesignated VMA(AW)-225. While stationed at MCAS Cherry Point, VMA(AW)-225 provided air support for units of the 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. The squadron also deployed several times to MCAS Yuma, Ariz., for live weapons
training.

In January 1969, VMA(AW)-225 deployed to Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam. The primary mission of Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 225 was to provide close air and direct air support for ground elements for allied forces in the I Corp area of South Vietnam. The squadron attacked and destroyed surface targets day and night, and in all weather conditions. A secondary mission was to utilize the Intruder's unique search radar Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) feature in the interdiction of trucks on enemy supply routes (Ho Chi Minh Trail) in Southeast Asia. During May 1971, VMA(AW)-225 returned to MCAS El Toro, Calif., and the squadron was deactivated on Jun. 15, 1972.
During the squadron's 29 years of service to the Corps, the "Vikings" set many firsts in Marine Corps Aviation. The unit earned numerous Command Post Exercise awards and other distinctions such as being the first Marine Attack Squadron to fly Trans-Atlantic to Spain. A leader in the development of fighter operations, night attack, and all weather tactics, it was only fitting that the squadron was reactivated on July 1, 1991, at MCAS El Toro, Calif., and redesignated as Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225.