VMFA-242
| Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 | |
|---|---|
VMFA-242 Patch | |
| Active | 1 Jul 1943 - 23 Nov 1945 1 Oct 1960 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of | Marine Aircraft Group 12 1st Marine Aircraft Wing III Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni |
| Nickname(s) | Bats Profane (callsign) |
| Motto(s) | "Victory by Dawn" |
| Tail Code | DT |
| Mascot(s) | bat |
| Engagements | World War II * Battle of Saipan * Battle of Tinian * Battle of Iwo Jima Vietnam War Operation Iraqi Freedom * Operation Phantom Fury |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | LtCol. Alexander M. Mellman |
| Executive Officer | LtCol. Benjamin M. Boera |
| Coffee Mess Officer | Capt. Alex J. Buchmann |
| Assistant to the Coffee Mess Officer | Capt. Margaret E. Woodward |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | A-6 Intruder A-4 Skyhawk F/A-18D Hornet F/A-18C Hornet |
| Bomber | TBM Avenger |
| Fighter | F-35B Lightning II |
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Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242) is a United States Marine Corps squadron flying F-35B Lightning II STOVL Stealth Fighter. The squadron, known as the "Bats", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW). The radio callsign is "Profane".