Vietnam War VMA - 224 Rare Variant (Uniform Removed) Patch
1950s - 1970sThe squadron entered the jet era in 1951 with the acceptance of the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee. In 1952, after completing a Mediterranean Cruise aboard the USS Roosevelt, the squadron accepted the Grumman F9F Panther, and was re-designated Marine Attack Squadron 224 (VMA-224).
On 29 September 1956, the squadron became the first Marine unit to field the Douglas A4D Skyhawk aircraft.[9][10] In 1965, the Bengals deployed to South Vietnam as part of the United States' buildup during the Vietnam War. For nearly a year the Bengals operated their "Scooters" from the expeditionary field at Chu Lai. In October 1966, VMA-224 was disbanded at Chu Lai and the squadron flag was sent to MCAS Cherry Point as it prepared for new personnel and equipment during its transition to a new airframe.[11] On 1 November 1966, the squadron acquired the Grumman A-6 Intruder and was re-designated as Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224 (VMA(AW)-224). In 1971, the Bengals deployed to the South China Sea aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). As part of Carrier Air Wing 15, the squadron completed six line periods on Yankee Station and participated in numerous operations including the historic Operation Pocket Money mining of Hai Phong Harbor.
1950s - 1970sThe squadron entered the jet era in 1951 with the acceptance of the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee. In 1952, after completing a Mediterranean Cruise aboard the USS Roosevelt, the squadron accepted the Grumman F9F Panther, and was re-designated Marine Attack Squadron 224 (VMA-224).
On 29 September 1956, the squadron became the first Marine unit to field the Douglas A4D Skyhawk aircraft.[9][10] In 1965, the Bengals deployed to South Vietnam as part of the United States' buildup during the Vietnam War. For nearly a year the Bengals operated their "Scooters" from the expeditionary field at Chu Lai. In October 1966, VMA-224 was disbanded at Chu Lai and the squadron flag was sent to MCAS Cherry Point as it prepared for new personnel and equipment during its transition to a new airframe.[11] On 1 November 1966, the squadron acquired the Grumman A-6 Intruder and was re-designated as Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224 (VMA(AW)-224). In 1971, the Bengals deployed to the South China Sea aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). As part of Carrier Air Wing 15, the squadron completed six line periods on Yankee Station and participated in numerous operations including the historic Operation Pocket Money mining of Hai Phong Harbor.
1950s - 1970sThe squadron entered the jet era in 1951 with the acceptance of the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee. In 1952, after completing a Mediterranean Cruise aboard the USS Roosevelt, the squadron accepted the Grumman F9F Panther, and was re-designated Marine Attack Squadron 224 (VMA-224).
On 29 September 1956, the squadron became the first Marine unit to field the Douglas A4D Skyhawk aircraft.[9][10] In 1965, the Bengals deployed to South Vietnam as part of the United States' buildup during the Vietnam War. For nearly a year the Bengals operated their "Scooters" from the expeditionary field at Chu Lai. In October 1966, VMA-224 was disbanded at Chu Lai and the squadron flag was sent to MCAS Cherry Point as it prepared for new personnel and equipment during its transition to a new airframe.[11] On 1 November 1966, the squadron acquired the Grumman A-6 Intruder and was re-designated as Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224 (VMA(AW)-224). In 1971, the Bengals deployed to the South China Sea aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). As part of Carrier Air Wing 15, the squadron completed six line periods on Yankee Station and participated in numerous operations including the historic Operation Pocket Money mining of Hai Phong Harbor.
