Hobby Master Archive

USMC VMA-223 is a squadron that flies AV-8B Harriers. Their mission is to provide offensive as well as defensive air support for Marine personnel and equipment. VMA-223 “Bulldogs” was commissioned on May 1, 1942 and their first aircraft was the Brewster F2A Buffalo. In 1965 VMA-223 and their A-4 Skyhawks were sent to Chu Lai, South Vietnam. They were tasked with providing air support for allied ground forces. They were stationed in South Vietnam for five and a half years and flew a total of 32,000 flight hours. In October 1987 the Bulldogs transitioned to their McDonnell Douglas AV- 8B Harrier II. Then in December 1993 the Bulldogs took delivery of the AV-8B II +.