VMFA-212

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212
VMFA-212 Unit insignia Courtesy of www.military-graphics.com
Active	1 March 1942 – 11 March 2008
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	"Lancers" Hell Hounds (WWII) The Musketeers (WWII) Devil Cats (Korea)
Motto(s)	"Train to Fight, Fight to Win!"
Tail Code	WD
Engagements	World War II * Battle of Guadalcanal * Philippines campaign (1944–45) * Battle of Okinawa Korean War * Battle of Chosin Reservoir * Attack on the Sui-ho Dam Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Desert Storm Operation Southern Watch Operation Noble Eagle Operation Enduring Freedom
Commanders
Notable commanders	LtCol Harold "Indian Joe" Bauer
Aircraft flown
Attack	AD-1 Skyraider
Fighter	Grumman F4F Wildcat Vought F4U-4 Corsair McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 (VMFA-212) was a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Most recently known as the "Lancers", the squadron was last based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW). Due to a re-organization within Marine aviation, the squadron was deactivated in 2008. It is scheduled to be reactivated as an MV-22B squadron in 2019 under MAG 26 at MCAS New River, NC.

Support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by destroying surface targets and enemy aircraft, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint or combined operations.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 was activated as Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212), the "Hell Hounds", at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii on 1 March 1942. Deploying in May to the South Pacific in their Grumman F4F Wildcats, the squadron was stationed at Tontouta on the island of New Caledonia, and later moved up to the Quoin Hill Airfield on the island of Efate. As preparations for the invasion of Guadalcanal increased, the squadron operated a detachment at Turtle Bay Airfield on Espiritu Santo until the arrival of VMO-251 ensured that the island was provided with adequate aerial defense. During the early part of the Guadalcanal campaign, VMF-212 sent detachments to operate with Cactus Air Force squadrons deployed to Henderson Field until the entire squadron was committed to the battle in mid-October. The squadron acquired an enviable record by destroying 64½ enemy planes including that of Toshio Ohta, a Japanese ace. Of this number, LtCol Harold "Indian Joe" Bauer, the squadron's first Commanding Officer, was credited with 11 kills and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor.