It may be a reserve squadron flying ‘legacy’ aircraft, but Dallas-based VMFA-112 is an exemplary US Marine Corps fighter unit and is ready to go to war at a moment’s notice. Frank Visser visits the squadron and sees how it maintains its fighting spirit.
VMFA-112
A pair of VMFA-112 F/A-18A++ Hornets, high over their home state of Texas. Callsigns used for this particular mission were ‘Cowboy 11’ and ‘Cowboy 12’. via Northern Skies Aviation
The challenges faced by the men and women of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 112 are many. It currently flies the ‘legacy’ F/A-18++ Hornet and the B-model trainer, and is a reserve unit, which dictates that many of its personnel are part-time. It also means it’s often at the back of the queue for the spare parts to keep its jets flying. Does this hold it back, or prevent it from maintaining the legendary fighting spirit of the US Marine Corps? Not one bit.
