Current and former commanding officers of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 224 observe the pass and review during a squadron redesignation and change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, June 26, 2025. The ceremony represented the squadron's transition from an all-weather F/A-18D Hornet squadron to an F-35B Lightning II squadron and signified the transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from Lt. Col. Jarrod Allen to Lt. Col. John P. Stuart. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin K. Kulczewski)
U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 and Sailors aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) conduct deck qualifications off the coast of eastern North Carolina, June 24, 2025. II Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. Second Fleet, along with NATO Allies from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, are conducting Atlantic Alliance 2025 (AA25). AA25 is the premier East Coast naval integration exercise, taking place along the eastern seaboard from North Carolina to Maine and focusing on the unique amphibious capabilities offered by the Navy-Marine Corps team. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Mya Seymour)
Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224 redesignated to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 224 during a change of command and redesignation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, on Thursday.
The event marked the squadron’s historic transition from operating the F/A-18D Hornet to becoming an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron, concluding more than 32 years as a Hornet squadron and as a Marine all-weather fighter attack squadron.
In addition to the redesignation, the ceremony also served as a change of command, representing a transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from Lt. Col. Jarrod Allen, the former commanding officer, VMFA(AW)-224, to Lt. Col. John...
06.27.2025 | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
Story by Capt. Jacob Ballard
