VMFA(AW)-225 'Vikings' To Transition From F/A-18D Hornet To F-35C Lightning II

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Miramar's 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing changes

On 23 January 2020, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron - All-Weather (VMFA(AW) 225 'Vikings', based at MCAS Miramar (CA), completed the phase-out of its last F/A-18D Hornets. The squadron is slated to begin transition to the F-35B, the short-take-off/vertical landing version of the Lightning II. According to the fiscal year 2019 Marine Corps Aviation Plan, VMFA(AW)-225 is scheduled to begin its transition to the F-35B in fiscal year 2021.

Presumably, the squadron designation will drop the (AW) suffix during its transition. The squadron will follow VMFA-121, VMFA-211 and VMFA-122 as the Corps’ fourth operational F-35B squadron.

VMFA-225 will move to MCAS Yuma (AZ), to join VMFA-211 and VMFA-122. VMFA-121 is based at MCAS Iwakuni (Japan). Also, the USMC plans to stand up a second F-35B replacement training squadron at Miramar during 2020: VMFAT-502. This new training unit is much needed to support the increasing F-35B training load.

On 21 January 2020, as expected, Marine Wing Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 'Black Knights', part of the 3rd MAW, welcomed the first of its F-35Cs at Miramar. VMFA-314 flew its carrier-capable Lightning II version to Miramar from NAS Lemoore (CA), where the unit has been transitioning to the F-35C from the F/A-18C Hornet. Notably, this aircraft was given the code 'VW-301'. This contrasts with VMFA-314 F-35Cs which were seen with a 'VW-43x' code while training at Lemoore. The unit is scheduled to be ready for deployment on an aircraft carrier by early fiscal year 2022.

See also SFN 18 January 2018, a lot of USMC F-35 news!
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