VMFA-225

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VMFA-225, the Vikings, is a United States Marine Corps fighter-attack squadron flying the F-35B Lightning II. Based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, they are part of Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13) in the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3d MAW). The squadron’s history goes back to January 1, 1943, when it was commissioned as Marine Fighter Squadron 225 (VMF-225) at MCAS Mojave, California.

World War II and early years
- In 1944–1945, VMF-225 flew F4U Corsairs in combat operations in the New Hebrides. They returned to the United States in 1945 and were stationed at Cherry Point, North Carolina, with interim basing at Mojave, Santa Ana, and Edenton.
- The squadron became Marine Attack Squadron 225 (VMA-225) on June 15, 1952. In the early 1960s, they trained for “special weapons” delivery, meaning certified nuclear weapon delivery.

Vietnam era and all-weather attack
- On June 1, 1965, VMA-225’s Skyhawks were the first tactical fixed-wing aircraft to land at Chu Lai Air Base for combat operations in South Vietnam. The squadron’s commander, Lt. Col. Robert W. Baker, led the first combat mission from the base.
- They returned to Cherry Point in October 1965. In April 1966, the squadron swapped aircraft, with the A-4 Skyhawk replaced by the A-6 Intruder and redesignated VMA(AW)-225 to reflect all-weather attack capabilities.
- Based at Cherry Point, VMA(AW)-225 provided air support for units in the 2nd Marine Division and deployed to MCAS Yuma for live weapons training.
- In January 1969, VMA(AW)-225 deployed to Da Nang, Vietnam. Their mission was close air support and interdiction in the I Corps area, including use of the A‑6’s radar for interdicting trucks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
- The squadron returned to El Toro, California, in May 1971 and was deactivated on June 15, 1972.

Reactivation and recent history
- The squadron was reactivated on July 1, 1991, at MCAS El Toro as VMFA(AW)-225, continuing as an all-weather fighter-attack unit.
- VMFA(AW)-225 was the first Marine fighter squadron deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In January 2003, they deployed from MCAS Miramar to Ahmed Al Jaber in Kuwait, taking part in Operation Southern Watch and then combat operations in Iraq.
- The Vikings deployed again to support OIF in 2007–2008 at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.
- The squadron flew the Hornet until 2020, marking their last F/A-18 Hornet flight on January 23, 2020, and officially transitioned to the F-35B Lightning II by January 29, 2021.

Current and future
- In September 2025, ten F-35Bs from VMFA-225 landed at José Aponte de la Torre Airport to support the United States’ military buildup in the Caribbean amid tensions with Venezuela.
- Today, VMFA-225 operates the F-35B from MCAS Yuma, continuing to defend and project U.S. interests with a strong all-weather, multirole capability. The squadron’s call sign is Viking, and its tail code is CE. The Vikings have flown a variety of aircraft over the years, including the AD-4B Skyraider, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, F4U Corsair, and F/A-18D Hornet, before transitioning to the F-35B Lightning II.
- Current commander: Lt Col James M. Braudt.