Commissioned on March 1, 1942, VMF-122 was originally called the "Candystripers." The squadron was organized and trained at Camp Kearny, Calif. under the direction of its first commanding officer, Maj. E. E. Brackett. Outfitted with the F4F "Wildcat" the squadron embarked on its first overseas tour in October of 1942.
On October 13, 1942, VMF-122 entered World War II when it departed for Noumea in the New Caledonia Islands. The squadron provided combat patrols, close air support and air cover for Army B-24 and B-25 bombers in the New Hebrides Islands. VMF-122 transferred to Henderson Field, Guadalcanal on January 17, 1943. The squadron continued its distinguished record with participation in the Rendova and Munda campaigns. April 1943 saw the transition to the F4U-1 "Corsair". Under the command of Maj. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, the Squadron accounted for 35 1/2 kills.
In August 1943, VMF-122 returned to Marine Air Depot Mirimar, Calif. Embarking on the USS HOLLANDIA for its second overseas tour in the Western Pacific, the squadron was outfitted with 24 new Goodyear F4G-1A aircraft at Peleliu, engaging in missions over the Northern Palaus before returning in February 1945 to MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. VMF-122 received the first FH-1 "Phantoms" in November 1947 becoming the first operational Marine Corps Squadron to employ jet-propelled aircraft. Using the FH-1, the squadron formed the Marine Corps first and only aerial demonstration team. Known as the "Marine Phantoms" or "Flying Leathernecks," this group toured the country for almost ten years. The team was disbanded with the introduction of the F2H-2 "Banshee".
In October 1950, the squadron deployed from NAS Quonset Point aboard the USS ORISKANY. In October 1951, the squadron became the first Marine jet squadron to be both day and night qualified for carrier operations. Due to the grounding of the F9Fs, the squadron received ten F6F-5 "Hellcats" as interim aircraft. In July 1952, the squadron finally received the F9F-4s. Later they were re-equipped with the F9F-5 "Panther" and began intensive training at Roosevelt Roads for a second cruise aboard the USS CORAL SEA. Following this Mediterranean cruise in 1953, the Squadron was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 24 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. In January 1954, VMF-122 was the first Marine Corps Squadorn equipped with the FJ-2 "Fury". It was during this time that the squadron adopted the distinctive "Candystriper" insignia and tail markings. In preparation for another carrier cruise, it became the FIRST Navy or Marine Corps squadron to qualify in the "Fury." Upon its return to Cherry Point, the squadron re-eqipped with the FJ-3.
In December 1957, the squadron became the fastest squadron in the Marine Corps with the delivery of the first five F-8U-1s (F-8A) "Crusaders" by Chance Vought. A new patch was designed to go with the new aircraft and VMF-122 became known as the "Crusaders." In September 1959, VMF-122 became the first Marine F-8U Squadron to qualify aboard a carrier, the USS INDEPENDENCE.
In October 1962, the "Crusaders" received the first F-8E aircraft on the East Coast, where they were redesignated "All Weather." The squadron was ready when the Cuban Missile Crisis arose and deployed to Key West, Florida for strip alert and combat air patrols until December 1962 when they returned to Beaufort, S.C. to prepare for deployment to Atsugi, Japan.
In January 1965, VMF(AW)-122 returned after cross-training with the US Air Forces 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Yakota AB, Japan. Reformed at MCAS El Toro, Calif. for the transition to the F-4B "Phantom". In the interim phase, the squadron flew F-8Bs. On July 1, 1965, VMF(AW)-122 was redisignated a Marine Fighter Attack (VMFA) squadron. The "Crusaders" served as a replacement training squadron until the first TRANSPAC to the Republic of Vietnam in August 1967. During operations from Da Nang Air Base, the "Crusaders" flew their first combat sorties September 1, 1967. During the next five months, the squadron flew 2,540 sorties and delivered 4,800 tons of ordnance. During the Khe Sahn siege which followed the Tet Offensive, they accrued 745 flight hours on 629 combat sorties and dropped 1,300 tons of ordnance in February 1968 alone. On September 1, 1968, VMFA-122 rotated from Da Nang to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. The "Crusaders" redeployed to Vietnam in the summer of 1969 reporting to the Marine Air Base, Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam. In May 1970, VMFA-122 flew 770 combat sorties. On a single day, May 24, 1970, the Squadron delivered 107.2 tons of ordnance on targets while flying 50 combat missions.
The "Crusaders" were assigned to MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI., in September 1970. The "Crusaders" were then ordered to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan by a Joint Chief of Staff Directive to counter a North Vietnamese offensive against South Vietnam. The squadron returned to Kaneohe Bay, HI., September 27, 1972.
On August 14, 1974, VMFA-122 was placed on CADRE status in anticipation of becoming the Marine Corps' first F-14A squadron. When the decision was made not to accept the "Tomcat" into the Marine Corps inventory, VMFA-122 was reactivated at MCAS Beaufort, S.C. and refitted with the F-4J. VMFA-122 completed 20 years of service as a F-4 "Phantom" squadron and in 1986 became the second operational Marine F/A-18 squadron on the East Coast. Since that time, the squadron has completed seven unit deployments to the Western Pacific.
The first movement of 1995's WESTPAC was to Yechon Air Base, Republic of Korea. Here the "Crusaders" participated in Operation Freedom Banner. In October 1995, VMFA-122 arrived at the Royal Australian Air Force Base, Darwin, Australia for participation in Operation Southern Frontier 95-1. VMFA-122 once again packed up to deploy north to the colder temperatures of Misawa Air Base, Japan. Participating in Exercise Cope North, it involved members and aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, Japanese Air Self Defense Force and some Air National Guard Units. VMFA-122 redeployed to MCAS Beaufort, S.C. from WESTPAC during January 1996.
During 1996, the "Crusaders" supported various exercises in the United States, Marine Division Tactics Course in February and July, CAPEX, Hornets Nest 96-2, Combined Joint Task Force Exercise, Weapons and Tactics Instruction Course 2-96 and 1-97 and SATEX. The squadron deployed to NAS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico during May 1996 for a missile shoot in support of HMLA-169, 2d ANGLICO and the British Royal Marines of HMS REARLESS in Operation Rum Punch 96. During August 1996, the squadron was on the road again to Twenty Nine Palms, Calif. to support CAX 10-96. Upon the redeployment, the squadron prepared for a WESTPAC departure in January 1997.
The "Crusaders" landed at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan during January 1997. The Squadron remained busy in supporting TOPGUN 2-97 at NAS Fallon, NV., WTI 2-97 in Yuma, AZ., Exercise Cope North at Misawa Air Base, Japan and Tandem Thrust 97 in Brisbane, Australia. The entire squadron deployed to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea to support the Air Force for their Combat Employment Readiness Inspection and participated in Dissimilar Aircraft Combat Tactics (DACT). The squadron returned to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in May 1997. During June 1997, two "Crusaders" became Aviation Combat Tactics Instructors and the squadron participated in a Smart Weapons shoot at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. During July 1997, the Squadron flew over the Pacific Ocean to redeploy to its present location, Marine Corps Airstation Beaufort, S.C.
On 22 January 1986, the Crusaders began a new era with the acceptance of its first F/A-18A Hornet. Throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and into 2000, VMFA-122 conducted multiple training deployments to Europe and throughout the United States. The squadron participated in the Unit Deployment Program (UDP), completing ten deployments to the Western Pacific. In October 2001, the Crusaders increased their combat capabilities by transitioning to the F/A-18C. The Crusaders continued in the UDP rotation, deploying in July 2002 to Iwakuni, Japan. The squadron surpassed 70,000 Class A mishap free flight hours in November 2002. At present, the Crusaders remained deployed to the Western Pacific.
F/A-18 Hornet
The F/A-18 "Hornet" is a single- and two-seat, twin engine, multi-mission fighter/attack aircraft that can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases. The F/A-18 fills a variety of roles: air superiority, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close and deep air support, and day and night strike missions. The F/A-18 Hornet replaced the F-4 Phantom II fighter and A-7 Corsair II light attack jet, and also replaced the A-6 Intruder as these aircraft were retired during the 1990s.
The F/A-18 has a digital control-by-wire flight control system which provides excellent handling qualities, and allows pilots to learn to fly the airplane with relative ease. At the same time, this system provides exceptional maneuverability and allows the pilot to concentrate on operating the weapons system. A solid thrust-to-weight ratio and superior turn characteristics combined with energy sustainability, enable the F/A-18 to hold its own against any adversary. The power to maintain evasive action is what many pilots consider the Hornet's finest trait. In addition, the F/A-18 was also the Navy's first tactical jet aircraft to incorporate a digital, MUX bus architecture for the entire system's avionics suite. The benefit of this design feature is that the F/A-18 has been relatively easy to upgrade on a regular, affordable basis.
The F/A-18 has proven to be an ideal component of the carrier based tactical aviation equation over its 15 years of operational experience. The only F/A-18 characteristic found to be marginally adequate by battle group commanders, outside experts, and even the men who fly the Hornet, is its range when flown on certain strike mission profiles. However, the inadequacy is managed well with organic and joint tanking assets.
F/A-18C/D Hornet
Following a successful run of more than 400 A and B models, the US Navy began taking fleet deliveries of improved F/A-18C (single seat) and F/A-18D (dual seat) models in September 1987. These Hornets carry the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and the infrared imaging Maverick air-to-ground missile. Two years later, the C/D models came with improved night attack capabilities. The new components included a navigation forward looking infrared (NAVFLIR) pod, a raster head-up display, night vision goggles, special cockpit lighting compatible with the night vision devices, a digital color moving map and an independent multipurpose color display.
F/A-18Cs have synthetic aperture ground mapping radar with a doppler beam sharpening mode to generate ground maps. This ground mapping capability that permits crews to locate and attack targets in adverse weather and poor visibility or to precisely update the aircraft's location relative to targets during the approach, a capability that improves bombing accuracy. New production F/A-18Cs received the APG-73 radar upgrade radars starting in 1994, providing more precise and clear radar displays.
The F/A-18C Nigh Attack Hornet has a pod-mounted Hughes AN/AAR-50 thermal imaging navigation set, a Loral AN/AAS-38 Nite Hawk FLIR targeting pod, and GEC Cat's Eyes pilot's night vision goggles. Some 48 F/A-18D two-seat Hornets are configured as the F/A-18D (RC) reconnaissance version, with the M61A1 cannon replaced by a pallet-mounted electro-optical suite comprising a blister-mounted IR linescan and two roll-stabilized sensor units, with all of these units recording onto video tape.
On the first day of Operation Desert Storm, two F/A-18s, each carrying four 2,000 lb. bombs, shot down two Iraqi MiGs and then proceeded to deliver their bombs on target. Throughout the Gulf War, squadrons of U.S. Navy, Marine and Canadian F/A-18s operated around the clock, setting records daily in reliability, survivability and ton-miles of ordnance delivered.
The Navy announced 18 May 1998 that its East Coast F/A-18 squadrons will relocate to Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach VA and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in Beaufort, SC. The jets will move from Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Jacksonville FL which was ordered closed by the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. Nine operational squadrons and the Fleet Replacement Squadron -- a total of 156 planes -- will move to Oceana. Two squadrons totaling 24 planes will move to Beaufort. The first squadron will move in the fall of 1998 and all 11 fleet squadrons and the Fleet Replacement Squadron completed their moves by October 1999.
Throughout its service, annual upgrades to F/A-18 weapon systems, sensors, etc. continued. The latest lot of the F/A-18C/D has grown to be far more capable (night attack, precision strike, low observable technologies, etc.) than the original F/A-18A/B; however, by 1991, it was becoming clear that avionics cooling, electrical, and space constraints would begin to limit future growth. Additionally, another operational deficiency was beginning to develop. As the F/A-18C/D empty weight increased the aircraft were returning to the carrier with less than optimal reserve fuel and/or unexpended weapons. The additional range and "bring back" is not as essential to shore based operations. F/A-18A/B/C/D aircraft will fly for years with the U.S. Marine Corps and eight international customers: Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand. Although the F/A-18C/D's future growth is now limited, it will also continue to fill a critical role in the U.S. Navy's carrier battle group for many years to come and will be an excellent complement to the larger, longer range, more capable F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Specifications:
Contractor Boeing [McDonnell Douglas Aerospace] and Northrop Grumman (Airframe), General Electric (Engines), and Hughes (radar).
Power Plant Two F404-GE-402 afterburning engines, each in the 18,000 pound thrust class, which results in a combat thrust-to-weight ratio greater than 1-to-1. Depending on the mission and loading, combat radius is greater than 500 nautical miles. T
Accommodations single seat aircraft.
The D models are flown by two crew members.
The aft seat in the D may be configured with a stick and throttle for the training environment (or without when crewed with a Weapons System Officer).
Performance maximum speed at level flight in altitudes of 36,089 ft. Mach 1.7
Armament F/A-18C/D can carry up to 13,700 pounds of external ordnance.
Weapon stations include: two wingtip stations for Sidewinders; two outboard wing stations for air-to-air or air-to-ground weapons; two inboard wing stations for fuel tanks, air-to-air, or air-to-ground weapons; two nacelle fuselage stations for AMRAAMs, Sparrows, or sensor pods; and one centerline station for fuel or air-to-ground weapons.
M61 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon with 520 rounds of 20mm ammunition is internally mounted in the nose
AIM-9 Sidewinder
AIM-7F Sparrow
AIM-120 AMRAAM
AGM-65E Maverick
AGM-84 Harpoon
AGM-88A HARM
MK82
10 CBU-87
10 CBU-89
GBU-12
GBU-24
JDAM
B-57 or B-61 Nuclear bomb
Mission and Capabilities: The F/A-18 Hornet can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
Cockpit displays and mission avionics are thoroughly integrated to enhance crew situational awareness and mission capability in high threat, adverse weather/night environments.
Cockpits are night vision goggle compatible.
Multi-Sensor Integration and advanced data link capabilities further enhance situational awareness.
Unit cost $FY98
[Total Program] $39.5 million. $60 million
Program Summary F/A-18A/B first entered operational service with the USN and USMC in 1982.
Since 1982, more than 1,458 F/A-18s have been procured for the USN and USMC and for the armed services in Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Switzerland, Finland, and Malaysia.
In 1987, the upgraded C/D model (with enhanced mission avionics) was introduced and upgraded with a night/adverse weather mission capability, On Board Oxygen Generating System, APG-73 Radar Upgrade, enhanced performance F404-GE-402 engines, and upgraded mission computers.
*****************************************************************************************************************************
Installation:
Simply extract the zip in your FS2002PRO folder. Attention: panel only works whit FS2002PRO. Many gauges will not be displayed if not in FS2002PRO.
This Aircraft and all its components are properties of the respective authors. Any illegal use of this package is not allowed. It is freeware, do not make money whit it in any way.
Aircraft by D. Reimer.
Textures by R. R. Smith.
Panel by V. Leightower, E. Marciano and DragonFlight Design.
Sound by B. Magann.
Panel rework, air file, general tuning and package by Truncana (anna.esposito27@virgilio.it).
Italy, October 2003.
*****************************************************************************************************************************
