U.S. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 “Red Devils” deployed to Japan on Sept. 8, replacing VMFA-214 “Black Sheep” in the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program rotation and marking the end of the first F-35B squadron deployment under the program.
The F/A-18 Hornet squadron from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, arrived at MCAS Iwakuni to take over operations from VMFA-214, the F-35B squadron that deployed from MCAS Yuma, Arizona, on Mar. 8. VMFA-232 will integrate with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, to provide aviation support across the Indo-Pacific region.
VMFA-214’s deployment was historic, marking the first time an F-35B squadron participated in the Unit Deployment Program. The Black Sheep squadron’s six-month rotation demonstrated fifth-generation aircraft capabilities in the contested Indo-Pacific environment before being replaced by the traditional fourth-generation F/A-18 platform.
The Unit Deployment Program provides continental United States-based squadrons with operational experience in the Indo-Pacific through continuous and overlapping deployments to the region. These rotations augment permanently stationed Marine aviation forces in Japan, ensuring sustained readiness and supporting the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Traditionally, the UDP has relied on F/A-18 Hornets and AV-8B Harriers for these deployments.
“Our focus during this deployment is threefold,” said Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Guyette, VMFA-214’s commanding officer, when his squadron arrived in March. “To seamlessly integrate within Marine forces, joint forces, and regional allies and improve warfighting readiness as a combined force, refine our ability to operate from austere locations, and align with key Marine Corps concepts like Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations.”
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