Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 124 | |
---|---|
Active | 2 September 1942 - 1996 |
Country | United States of America |
Branch | United States Marine Corps |
Type | Fighter/Attack squadron |
Role | Air interdiction |
Nickname(s) | Whistling Death Wild Aces Checkerboards |
Tail Code | QP |
Engagements | |
Aircraft flown | |
Attack | A-4 Skyhawk |
Fighter | F4U Corsair F9F Cougar FJ-4B Fury |
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 124 (VMFA-124) was a flying squadron in the Marine Forces Reserve based out of Naval Air Station Memphis flying the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. They were part of Marine Aircraft Group 42 and were decommissioned on 19 June 1999.
The squadron was formed as VMF-124 in 1942 and was the first Marine squadron to fly the Vought F4U Corsair during World War II and also one of the first Marine squadrons to be based on an aircraft carrier.[1] They were known as the "Wild Aces" and ended World War II with 78 air-to-air victories against Japanese aircraft.[2]
The squadron was redesignated as Marine Attack Squadron 124 (VMA-124) in 1965 and to (VMFA-124 in 1994.