Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 | |
---|---|
![]() VMFA-112 Insignia
|
|
Active | March 1, 1942 - September 10, 1945 July 1, 1946 - present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Marine Corps |
Type | Fighter/Attack |
Role |
Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
Part of |
Marine Aircraft Group 41 4th Marine Aircraft Wing |
Garrison/HQ | NAS JRB Fort Worth |
Nickname(s) | Cowboys |
Tail Code | MA |
Mascot(s) | Wolf |
Engagements |
World War II * Battle of Guadalcanal Korean War Operation Iraqi Freedom |
Commanders | |
Commanding Officer | LtCol Clint J. Weber |
Executive Officer | Maj Brian J. Sullivan |
Sergeant Major | SgtMaj Sean F. McLain |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter |
Grumman F4F Wildcat Vought F4U-1 Corsair Grumman F9F Panther Vought F8U-1 Crusader McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18A Hornet |
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112) is a reserve United States Marine Corps McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet squadron. The squadron is based at NASJRB Fort Worth, Texas and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 41 (MAG-41), 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (4th MAW). Their tail code is MA. During World War II the squadron saw extensive action throughout the Pacific Theater of Operations especially at the Battle of Guadalcanal as part of the Cactus Air Force. By the end of the war, its 140 air-to-air kills ranked it third among Marine Corps squadrons.
Conduct of Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground operations in support of the Marine rifleman.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112, was originally activated as VMF-112, at San Diego, California on March 1, 1942.
Deploying shortly after to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in their Grumman F4F Wildcats, the Wolfpack joined the Cactus Air Force with Marine Aircraft Group 11. On 31 January 1943 Jefferson J. DeBlanc downed five enemy aircraft in a single mission, and was awarded the Medal of Honor for this action. In recognition of its valor and its contributions to victory during its service on Guadalcanal, VMF-112 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (US) for August 7 – December 9, 1942.