List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
Squadron Name Nickname Date Inactivated
VMFA-124 Whistling Death 19 June 1999
VMFA-134 Smoke April 1 , 2007
VMFA-142 Gators July 2008
VMFA-212 Lancers March 11 , 2008
VMFA-235 Death Angels June 14 , 1996
VMFA-321 Hells Angels September 30 , 2004
VMFA-333 Fighting Shamrocks March 31 , 1992
VMFA-334 Falcons December 30 , 1971
VMFA-351 1978
VMFA-531 Grey Ghosts April 27 , 1992
Inactive squadrons -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons
The first Marine Corps squadron to be redesignated a VMFA was in June 1962 upon receipt of the first McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II aircraft . VMF and VMA squadrons were redesignated because the new Phantoms could be both fighter aircraft and ground attack aircraft . [ 100 ] These squadrons were heavily deployed during the Vietnam War . Most of these squadrons would eventually convert to the McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet with the last F-4 Phantom leaving service in 1992 . [ 101 ] The end of the Cold War saw the deactivation of some VMFA squadrons as part of the overall drawdown of the US Military [ 102 ] McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II of VMFA-531 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18A Hornet of VMFA-321
While other nations have Marines who are aviators, only the United States Marine Corps has its own dedicated aviation arm. Most squadrons have changed names and designations many times over the years so they are listed by their final designation.