Black Knights Receive F-35S at MCAS Miramar
F-35S ARRIVE AT MCAS MIRAMAR
28 MAY 2020 | 1st Lt. Wesley Medeiroo, 1st Lt. Charles Allen
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 welcomed its most recent delivery of the F-35C Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar May 18, 2020.
Earlier this year, the VMFA-314 Black Knights made history when they became the first F-35C squadron in the Marine Corps.
“We are extremely excited to be receiving our seventh aircraft today,” said Lt. Col. Cedar Hinton, commanding officer of VMFA-314. “Each of these amazing machines represents a significant leap in capability for our squadron and brings us one step closer to becoming fully combat capable.”
Since their inception in 1943, the “Black Knights” have prided themselves on leading the transition to modern aviation platforms in support of evolving Marine Corps missions. In 1952, they were the first squadron in 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing to fly the F-9F Panther. The Black Knights became the first Marine Corps squadron to adopt the F-4B Phantom in 1961, and the first in the Department of the Navy to fly the F/A-18 Hornet in 1982.
“Each of these amazing machines represents a significant leap in capability for our squadron and brings us one step closer to becoming fully combat capable.”
Lt. Col. Cedar Hinton, Commanding Officer of VMFA-314
With mission sets that range from intercepting and destroying enemy aircraft to providing network enabled reconnaissance support in combat operations, the capabilities of the F-35 bring more lethality and flexibility to combatant commanders than any other fighter platform. The F-35 represents the future of Marine Corps tactical aviation, and will deliver strategic agility, operational flexibility, and tactical supremacy to the Marine Air Ground Task Force.
3rd MAW continues to “Fix, Fly and Fight” as the Marine Corps’ largest aircraft wing, and remains combat-ready, deployable on short notice, and lethal when called into action.
Jan 2020
Third Marine Air Wing made history when it welcomed the Marine Corps’ first F-35C Lightning II to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Jan. 21, 2020. The Marines and sailors of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, the “Black Knights,” are extremely proud of their legacy and tradition of making aviation history.
“It should be no surprise that VMFA-314 is once again leading the way into the next generation of fighter attack aircraft,” said Lt. Col. Cedar Hinton, commanding officer of VMFA-314.
The squadron’s history began with its commissioning in 1943 at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., as the “Bob’s Cats.” In 1952, they were the first squadron in 3rd MAW to transition to jet aircraft and fly the F-9F Panther. In 1957, they officially became the “Black Knights” with the arrival of the F-4D Skyray. In October 1961, the “Black Knights” were the first Marine Corps squadron to transition to the F-4B Phantom and in 1982, the first in the Department of the Navy to fly the F/A-18 Hornet.
The “Black Knights” have proven themselves time and again from campaigns in the South Pacific to the Vietnam War and from Operation El Dorado Canyon to the Global War on Terror. VMFA-314’s storied history should give the American people confidence that the “Black Knights” will continue to fix, fly, and fight the next generation of aircraft.