The ceremony included the formal handover of command from Lieutenant Colonel Jarrod Allen to Lieutenant Colonel John Stuart. This occasion also signified the unit’s redesignation from VMFA(AW)-224 to VMFA-224, marking its transformation into the Marine Corps’ latest fifth-generation fighter squadron.
“For over 30 years, the Fightin’ Bengals have superbly executed the mission of a Marine all-weather fighter attack squadron,” said Lt. Col. Allen. “As the Bengals redesignate, it ends an era of the All-Weather designation that began with the Night Fighter designation in 1943.”
Lt. Col. Allen paid tribute to the unit’s legacy and personnel, adding, “I could not be prouder of the Marines and Sailors who upheld the high standards of excellence during the final days of this chapter.” The squadron flew its final F/A-18 sortie on 28 April 2025.
The Bengals, whose origins date back to 1942, have participated in numerous key conflicts including World War II, Vietnam, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terror. Over the decades, the squadron has continuously adapted to advances in aviation, including multiple upgrades to the Hornet platform.
With the introduction of the F-35B, VMFA-224 is entering a new era of aviation capability. The F-35B Lightning II is a short-takeoff and vertical-landing aircraft designed for expeditionary environments and brings advanced stealth, agility, and real-time data integration to the battlespace.
“The newly unfurled battle colors of VMFA-224 are adorned with streamers that represent the unit’s history, accomplishments, and the legacy left by those who came before,” said Lt. Col. Stuart. “As the squadron transitions into the fifth generation of fighter aircraft with the F-35B, that legacy will be an omnipresent reminder of why we must constantly prepare for whatever comes next.”
The squadron expects to receive its first F-35B later in 2025 and is currently preparing its personnel, equipment, and procedures for the upcoming Safe for Flight certification. The transformation reflects the Marine Corps’ broader strategy to modernise its aviation capabilities in line with emerging threats.
“The next thing for the Fightin’ Bengals is to build upon the rock-solid foundation we’ve inherited and produce a stealth fighter squadron unmatched in tactical excellence, maintenance efficiency, quality, and Marine Corps ethos,” said Stuart. “Rest assured, when our nation calls upon the Bengals to do its bidding, the adversaries of our country and her allies will understand what it means to ‘Fear the Ambush.’”
VMFA-224 operates under the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, which serves as the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.
