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On 1 April, 2007, the flag of VMFA(AW)-332 "Moonlighters" was folded and cased as the unit was officially deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. This closes the latest chapter in the Moonlighter's long history- a history that began over 60 years ago. It also puts them in a category all their own as they enter 'cadre' status with proposed reactivated to full squadron status upon the delivery of the first F-35 Lightning IIs to the USMC. Before the unit deactivated and while they still had jets to fly. Aviation Photojournalist Greg "CACTUS" Davis visited Beaufort in early Feb. 2007, just days after the Commanders jet was rolled out of the paint barn wearing a final paint scheme---not to be forgotten. Photos from this flight are presented in this article.
During previous visits to the squadron and hanger area that both VMFA(AW)-332 Moonlighters and VMFA(AW)-533 'Hawks' called home, it was always a hub of non-stop activity as Marines worked to maintain the backbone of the USMC Fighter/Attack community, the Night / Attack version of the F/A-18 Hornet; the F/A-18D. Now, with VMFA(AW)533 'Hawks' deployed and VMFA(AW)-332 drawing down before deactivation, it was sadly found to be a different story as the hanger sat mostly empty. Diminished activity still continued as minor maintenance was performed on the few remaining jets the squadron still owned, but their was a definite sense of quiet reverence as all knew the time was coming to close-up shop and move on to other units. Even with this sense in the air, the dedicated Marines assigned to the Moonlighters would work to continue their training within the squadron and even helped train those from other squadrons, when possible. This sense of dedication continued until their final flight in early March.
The order closing the squadron came at a time when most people think the USMC would be adding squadrons to help spread the workload across the Hornet community. However, without new jets to fill additional squadrons, adding squadrons is only a dream for the USMC community. This closing is directly attributable to the fact that over the last 10 years the tight-knit Marine Hornet community has been heavily tasked, especially the D-model community. Over tasking has resulted in the placement of limitations on some jets or early retirement for others as they are flown to an early death. Crashes and write-offs have exasperated the problem and depleted the fleet to the point where there just are enough jets to fill the rolls of all the squadrons. Instead of playing a numbers game with the reduced fleet, it was decided the USMC would deactivate a full squadron to free up enough jets to bring the remaining squadrons numbers up. It isn't clear how or why VMFA(AW)-332 was chosen to be the squadron to close.
The 'Moonlighters' trace their lineage back to 1 June 1943 when they were commissioned as Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 332 (VMSB-332) at what was then a newly completed Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, in North Carolina. VMSB-332 was assigned to Marine Air Group 33 as part of the 3rd Marine Air Wing flying the SBD Dauntless dive-bomber. They were activated to bolster the war effort and would eventually end up deployed to Midway Island providing escort for incoming and outgoing surface craft and submarines. They would stay in the Pacific theatre until after the war ended. On 1 March 1945 changed their designation from VMSB-332 to Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron (VMTB-332) upon transition to the TBM Avenger. Their time with the TMB Avenger would last for only eight months as they relocated to San Diego for their first period of deactivation in November 1945.
The Korean War hostilities forced an expansion of the US military and the unit was reactivated on 23 April 1952 as Marine Attack Squadron 332 (VMA-332) at MCAS Opa Locka, Florida as part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Instead of being sent off to the Far East, the unit was tasked with defense of the continental United States. They flew outdated but well-loved F6F Hellcat of WWII fame. They trained in and around Florida during this timeframe, according to the units' official history. In May 1953 VMA-332 traded in their Hellcats for F4U Corsairs, another WWII aircraft that was faster and carried more ordnance. After completing the Corsair conversion, the unit was given a combat role in which they were tasked with support operations off the West coast of Korea. It was during this timeframe and while deployed aboard the USS Bairoko that their now famous markings came about. VMA-332 was unique in two respects when they deployed to support the Korean War. They were one of the few Marine Corps flying squadrons to operate from a Navy carrier and they showed up to the carrier without an official logo. This changed when they adopted the hat, cane and polka-dots and 'MR' tail code. Since 'MR' is the abbreviation for Mister and the members of the unit considered themselves as gentleman, in every respect, the two-letter identifier found its way onto the tails of the Corsairs. The straw hat and cane were also associated with gentleman of the time and made up elements in their new logo.
The application of red polka-dots on their F4Us came about as VMA-332 mocked the unit they replaced on the carrier, VMA-312, who had red and white checkerboards painted in the nose of their aircraft. Soon the Corsairs of VMA-332 wore a white ring as the background with bright red (mocking) polka-dots around the engine cowling of the aircraft. VMA-332 was now known as the "Polka-dots" and entered combat operations on June 18, 1953, just 8 days after arriving aboard the carrier as they enforced a blockade on the West Coast of Korea and conducted air strikes against Communist targets. The "Polka-dots' continued combat operations from the USS Bairoko until the armistice was signed on 27 July, 1953. Following the end of hostilities the unit was transferred to the USS Point Cruz that steamed off the Eastern coast of Korea in the Japanese Sea. On 22 Nov. 1953 they left the carrier to deploy to Itami, Japan. With their final departure from the carrier, VMA-332 has the distinction as the last Marine Corps unit to fly the Corsair from a US aircraft carrier. Just two days before Christmas, they were sent back to Florida where they would soon transition to the AD-5 Skyraider. Back in Florida after the Korean War, VMA-332 began routine peace-time operations. From 1953-1957 they would rotate annually between the East Coast of the USA and Asia. In June 1958 they were relocated back to their original Cherry Point home and were soon being equipped with their first jet, the A-4C Skyhawk. They continued deploying to Japan until 1962.
Sometime during the Skyhawk period the 'Polka-dots' mysteriously changed their name to the 'Moonlighters' as well as their tail code to 'EA'. Rumor has it these changes came about shortly after a trip away from home base. The local for this trip away from home has been noted as being somewhere in Nevada, but can't be confirmed. It seems that during this trip two ladies named Evelyn and Angela made such a good impression on the men of the unit that the tail code was changed shortly after their return home to reflect the first letter of their names: 'EA'. A way to keep the memories alive, I guess.
On 20 August 1968 the 'Moonlighters' designation was changed to Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 332 (VMA(AW)-332) as they transitioned to the all-weather Grumman A-6A Intruder. 1 March 1975 saw the upgrade to the A-6E Intruder that had improved all-weather combat capabilities. In May 1976 the squadron returned to the Far East when they deployed to Iwakuni, Japan and also visited Australia. From 1977 to 1982 the 'Moonlighters' maintained a busy schedule of training and deployments around the world. The A-6E TRAM (Target Recognition and Attack Multi-Sensor) version of the Intruder arrived on 28 July 1982. It would remain their mount for the next 11 years. By the time they finally relinquished the A-6 Intruder, the unit had amassed a remarkable safety record of 55,000 accident-free flight hours covering a 14 year period. The units official history notes this as being, "a feat unparalleled in its time in Marine Tactical Aviation."
On 28 December 1992 the 'Moonlighters' received their first F/A-18D Hornet, a two-seat version of the successful fighter jet optimized for night/attack missions. With the conversion to the D-model Hornet completed, the unit was once again re-designated, this time as Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron-332 (VMFA(AW)-332) on 25 June 1993. The unit also moved from MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. to MCAS Beaufort, S.C. as they were reassigned to the Marine Aircraft Group 31. Many of the units' activities since beginning F/A-18D Hornet operations have been widely chronicled, so we won't rehash them all. We will note some of the highlights though. VMFA(AW)-332 'Moonlighters' returned to combat for the first time since the Korean War when they participated in Operation Deny Flight and Provide Promise from Aviano AB, Italy in 1994. They were awarded the Hanson Award for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year in 1994. Between 1996 and 1999 the unit repeatedly deployed to join in combat operations in support of Operations Decisive Edge, Joint Endeavor, Allied Force and Joint Guardian. They were awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award in 1998 as they surpassed 75,000 mishap-free flight hours.
In 1999 the 'Moonlighters' were once again recognized with the Hanson award. The following year and while on deployment to the Far East the unit reached the 81,000 mishap-free flight hours mark on 1 March 2000, a safety record spanning 21 years. From 2001 to 2004 VMFA(AW)-332 continued training and deploying to far-flung corners of the earth including combat operations in support of Operation Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom. On 26 May 2005 the unit reached yet another milestone of aviation safety, the 100,000 mishap free flight hour mark. 100,000 hours came over a period of 27 years.
The Marines of VMFA(AW)-332 didn't participate in the initial build-up for Operation Iraqi Freedom as they continued their watch in the Far East. They did finally deploy for OIF IV-VI in July 2005. During this deployment they carried the call sign "Dealer" and flew 12 sortie cycles each day with additional surges, as necessary. During their seven months of OIF operations, the unit flew 2406 sorties totaling 6031.9 combat flight hours.
Since returning home to MCAS Beaufort the unit has continued its training activities. They were also informed of their impending deactivation. A bitter-sweet pill for all to swallow came when they were again recognized with the Hanson Award in 2006, the top honor for any Marine Fighter Attack Squadron. Before deactivation the unit's leadership clearly made a decision to showcase their pride and history by painting the Commanders aircraft with a special, full-color paint scheme for all to see. F/A-18D, bureau # 164967, Modex 00, wore markings spanning their entire history. These came in the form of a white band and red polka-dots on the nose along with the unit's original patch and original Commanding Officer's name on the right side of the nose. The "MR" tail code dating from 1953 adorns the inside of the vertical stabilizers. The hat and cane emblems on the units patch also date from this timeframe and were associated with gentleman of the time.
The Moonlighters final tail code of "EA" along with a moon was emblazoned on the outside of the tails of this jet. On the left side of the nose is a map of Iraq with cards spread out over the map and the units 'Dealer' radio call sign from Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005. The Marine Air Group and squadron commander's names are on the left side of the canopy rails. The remainders of the markings are simply full color versions of what would be found on any line-jet except for the mysterious application of the units renegade patch design that appears on the speed brake. This design shows a skull wearing the straw hat with the cane going through them both. The Marines of VMFA(AW)-332 have a lot to be proud of even though they have, once again, been deactivated. VMFA(AW)-332 was frequent participants in combat operations over the last 10 years including noteworthy campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. This came in addition to regular training deployments to far-flung regions of the world such as Japan, Bangladesh, Australia and Thailand.
The Moonlighters didn't go out on a low or with a whimper. That's for sure. Instead they went out with a yell of Semper Fi! That's because they will live again when they become the first USMC unit flying the F-35 Lightning II.
Acknowledgement:
Greg L. Davis would like to extend his thanks to the following for their cooperation and assistance in the preparation of this article/photos: Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO-2) Mario Valle, Capt. Lindsay "Pants" Nelson, Major Douglas Glover, Capt. Paul "ENRON" Blair, Capt. Robert "Juicy" Allen, Maj. David "Frek" Phillippi (Ops Officer), and LtC. Samuel "Slash" Kirby, VMFA(AW)-332 Commanding Officer and GySgt. Shannon Arledge and Capt. Sarah Kansteiner, MCAS Beaufort Public Affairs Office
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