VMF-222

Marine Fighting Squadron 222
VMF-222’s Insignia
Active	March 1, 1942 – December 31, 1949
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Fighter squadron
Role	Air interdiction Close air support
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	“Flying Deuces” "SeaBee Air Force"
Engagements	World War II * Philippines campaign (1944–45) * Battle of Okinawa
Aircraft flown
Fighter	SNJ Texan F4U-4 Corsair

Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps that was activated and fought during World War II. Known as “The Flying Deuces”, they fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 (MAG-14) and fought in many areas of the Pacific War, including the Philippines campaign (1944–45) and the Battle of Okinawa. During the war, the squadron was credited with shooting down 53 enemy aircraft and was the sister squadron to VMF-215. They were deactivated on December 31, 1949.

VMF-222 was commissioned on March 1, 1942, at Midway Atoll. They were originally formed from members of VMF-221 and were part of Marine Aircraft Group 22. The squadron was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii in April 1942 and remained until September 1942 when they returned to the United States.

Following the Battle of the Green Islands, on March 13, 1944, VMF-222 landed on the newly constructed airfield on Green Island along with VMF-223. From here they participated in the allied effort to isolate the Japanese bases on Rabaul and Kavieng. In May and June of that year Charles Lindbergh, while in the area as a civilian technician, flew combat sorties with the squadron.

On January 11, 1945, the squadron, along with other from MAG-14, landed on the island of Guinan in the Philippines.