"Bats" re-designated into Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
The US Marine Corps Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 242 Bats ('DT-xx') was redesignated into Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 during the change of command and re-designation ceremony at home base MCAS Iwakuni (Japan) on 16 October 2020.
Of course, this event had everything to do with the Bat's transition to the F-35B Lightning II. The first "boss bird" of the Bats is F-35B Lightning II BuNo 169623/DT-01 that acted as a ceremonial back-ground. Seperating from the unit is old "boss bird" F/A-18D 165685/DT-01.
Two Four Two was established at then MCAS El Centro (CA) as Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron (VMTB) 242 on 1 July 1943. The squadron started to operate with the Grumman TBM-3 Avenger that wore a patch with Bugs Bunny riding a torpedo. That squadron was deactivated on 23 November 1945.
On 1 October 1960, the unit was reactivated as Marine Attack Squadron 242, flying the Douglas A4D Skyhawk from MCAS Cherry Point (NC). Four years later, in September 1964, the squadron converted to the Grumman A-6A Intruder and was redesignated to VMA(AW)-242.
During the Vietnam war, VMA(AW)-242 took the name Batmen, which later became Bats. After returning from Vietnam, the squadron was based at MCAS El Toro (CA). From 1977, the more modern A-6E was introduced. On 14 December 1990, VMA(AW)-242 was re-designated into Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 with the introduction of the F/A-18D Hornet.
Photo: USMC Lance Cpl. Tyler Harmon