The squadron returned to MCAS El Toro in October 1989. The BLACK KNIGHTS participated in two consecutive Cope Thunder exercises in the Republic of Philippines and deployed throughout the Far East in support of Marine Corps frontline units. In 1989, VMFA-314 returned to the Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program for the first time since their return from the Republic of Vietnam in 1970. In 1988, the squadron deployed to Balikesir, Turkey assigned to MAG-50 in support of the NATO Exercise Display Determination. In 1987, VMFA-314 deployed to Egypt as part of joint exercise Bright Star '87 with the Egyptian Air Force. The BLACK KNIGHTS participated in Freedom of Navigation operations in the vicinity of Libya and took part in combat operations in support of Operation El Dorado Canyon in the Gulf of Sidra and in Libya. In 1985, VMFA-314 transferred to Carrier Air Wing 13, and embarked onboard the USS Coral Sea for duty with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. Later that year, VMFA-314 completed carrier qualification aboard the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Constellation. In 1982, VMFA-314 received the first of its F/A-18s, becoming the first tactical squadron in the Marine Corps and Navy to employ the Hornet. In September of 1970, VMFA-314 ended forty-nine months of deployed combat operations and received the Meritorious Unit Citation for its outstanding performance. From 1965 to 1970, the BLACK KNIGHTS flew more than 25,000 combat hours out of Chu Lai and Da Nang airfields, and employed more than 100 million pounds of ordnance in support of the Marine rifleman and other Allied ground units.
In 1965, VMFA-314 deployed onboard the USS Valley Forge for combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam. Between 19, the squadron deployed eight times. In 1961, the squadron became the first Marine squadron to transition to the new F-4B Phantom II and was designated VMFA-314. During that same year, the squadron officially became the BLACK KNIGHTS, and deployed throughout the Far East both on land as well as onboard the fast attack carriers USS Hancock and USS Ticonderoga. In 1957, the squadron received the new F-4D Skyray and was designated VMF(AW)-314.
In 1955, VMF-314 returned from Japan and was assigned to MAG-15, 3D MAW. The next three years saw VMF-314 deployed twice, first to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and then to Atsugi, Japan for an eighteen-month tour.
That same year, the squadron transitioned to the new F9F Panther. VMF-314 was again commissioned in 1952 at Miami, Florida and was assigned to MAG-31, 3d MAW flying the latest version of the Corsair. In March 1946 the squadron returned to Cherry Point, was re-assigned to MAG-22, 9th MAW and was decommissioned on 30 April 1947. At the conclusion of hostilities, VMF-314 moved to Kyushu, Japan as part of the occupation force. During the ensuing campaign, VMF-314 pilots were credited with 14 kills and the squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. The Squadron moved to Ie Shima in May 1945 to take part in the invasion of Okinawa. Upon deployment to Midway Island in June of 1944, the squadron was reassigned to MAG-23, 3D MAW. Commissioned on 1 October 1943 at Cherry Point, North Carolina, VMF-314 was assigned to MAG-32 flying the F-4U Corsair and immediately began training for combat in the Pacific.
0 kommentar(er)
