Happy Saturday, FighterSweep Fans! In our “From the Cockpit” series, we’ve brought you a number of kick-ass videos from the Navy’s Strike Fighter community, as well as various Air Force units and even a couple international ones.
This is the first time we’ve feature a United States Marine Corps squadron’s “Cruise Video” and we’re excited to bring it to you. Known as the “Bats,” Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 is based at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan as a part of Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12) and the 1st Marine Air Wing.
They currently fly the Boeing F/A-18D Hornet for strike, air interdiction, close air support, and other mission sets in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force.
The squadron was initially activated on 15 September 1943 as Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 242 (VMTB-242). Once stood up, thecommand began training in the Grumman TBM Avenger.
(Photo Courtesy of Flying Leathernecks Models)
They deployed in February 1944 to the hotly-contested South Pacific theater, taking part in such noteworth engagements as the battles of Saipan and Tinian, and even Iwo Jima.
Long gone are the days of Torpedo bombing; today’s Bats are a well-quipped, highly-capable fighter squadron heavily involved in contingency operations overseas in support of U.S. national security interests. So without further ado, click on the video, crank up the volume, and enjoy Marine Corps tactical aviation at its finest!
(Featured photo courtesy of “Mariana”)