Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 marks 82nd anniversary with F-35B flyover of USS America

Commissioned on 1 July 1943, VMFA-242 boasts a storied combat history beginning in the Solomon Islands and continuing through Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. Over the decades, the squadron has demonstrated adaptability, transitioning from the A-4 Skyhawk during the Cuban Missile Crisis, to the A-6 Intruder in Vietnam, and later the F/A-18 Hornet in Iraq.

Today, VMFA-242 operates the F-35B Lightning II, a fifth-generation multi-discipline strike fighter, supporting combined-joint, all-domain operations in strategically vital maritime areas. In recognition of its excellence, the squadron was named Marine Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year, receiving the prestigious Robert M. Hanson Award in 2024.

The 31st MEU is currently embarked aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet area of operations, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet. These forces regularly engage with allies and partners across the region, reinforcing commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific.