Returning to MCAS El Toro in 1957, the squadron assumed its role in the Unit Deployment Program with scheduled rotations to Japan and traded in its AD Skyraider aircraft and joined the jet age with the F9F-8B. The "Wolf Raiders" of VMA-121 remained in South Korea for several years after the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953. The squadron dropped more bomb tonnage during the Korean War than any other Navy or Marine Corps squadron, devastating enemy airfields, supply dumps, bridges, and railroad yards.ĭuring the Korean War the Squadron insignia depicted Al Capp's "WolfGirl" from the comic strip Li'l Abner. Their mission was to conduct strike missions in support of infantry operations. VMA-121 deployed to K-6 Airfield at Pyongtaek, Republic of Korea on Octoand conducted their first strike on October 27. In June 1953 they also set a then Marine record for a single day's ordnance delivery when 16 AD-2 Skyraiders dropped 156 tons of bombs during the attack on the Sui-ho Dam. After completion of training in the Skyraider, the squadron was transported aboard the carrier USS Sitkoh Bay to Yokosuka, Japan to begin final preparations for a combat deployment to the Republic of Korea. In mid 1951, VMA-121 received orders to activate its reserve members and departed NAS Glenview for Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. Korean War Squadron's logo when it was VMA-121 "Wolf Raiders" During this time they flew a variety of aircraft including the F4U Corsair, F8F Bearcat and A-1 Skyraider. VMF-121 downed 208 Japanese aircraft (165 flying Wildcats and another 44 flying Corsairs) in aerial combat.Īfter World War II, the squadron was reactivated in the United States at Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois where the squadron's designation was changed to Marine Attack Squadron 121 ( VMA-121). During the Pacific War, VMF-121 produced fourteen fighter aces, more than any other squadron, including Medal of Honor recipient, Major Joseph J. They returned to the United States to be deactivated on September 9, 1945. On September 15, 1944, the Green Knights landed on Peleliu and fought there until July 25, 1945. The squadron also fought from the forward air bases of Espirito Santo, Turtle Bay, Bougainville, and Emirau. The Green Knights began combat operations flying the F4F Wildcat and later the F4U Corsair as charter members of the Cactus Air Force and throughout the Battle of Guadalcanal arriving in October 1942. Marine Fighting Squadron 121 ( VMF-121) was activated on June 24, 1941. History World War II Squadron's logo when it was VMF-121 Their tail code is VK and their radio call sign is "Combat". The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW). The latest version of the AMC will support the F/A-18 Block III’s advanced cockpit system, which includes a touchscreen display that will enable the pilot to better see and track long-range targets.Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), also known as the "Green Knights", is a United States Marine Corps aircraft squadron operating the F-35B Lightning II. These highly reliable mission and display processing systems provide warfighters with extraordinary levels of mission effectiveness now and into the future." - Carlo Zaffanella, Vice President & General Manager of Maritime and Strategic Systems. "General Dynamics provides mission computers to every F/A-18 ever built. Since 2002, the engineering and manufacturing teams at our Bloomington, Minnesota facility have produced and rigorously tested over two thousand F/A-18 mission computers for the U.S. The rugged AMC is designed to operate in the extreme environmental conditions required by today’s high-performance fighter aircraft. Our Advanced Mission Computer powers the F/A-18 Super Hornet’s cockpit and heads-up displays, providing pilots with an enhanced ability to see and control the battlefield. The information processed by the mission computer assists pilots with identifying friendly aircraft, conducting safe landings, and providing increased visibility in difficult flying conditions. The AMC processes and displays mission data in the cockpit, providing the pilot with an enhanced ability to see and control the battlefield.įrom advanced fiber optics to the heads-up displays and sensors, almost everything in the cockpit is managed by the AMC. On board the F/A-18 Super Hornet is a pair of General Dynamics’ Advanced Mission Computers (AMC), which serve as the nerve center of the fighter. This multi-purpose strike fighter is a critical part of the Navy’s arsenal and is used during their Fighter Weapons School, also known as TOPGUN. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet can reach speeds up to Mach 1.8, fly as high as 50,000 feet and precisely land on a moving aircraft carrier.
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