SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 – The U.S. Marine Corps deployed Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 “Red Devils”, an F/A-18 Hornet squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, under the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program (UDP) on Sept. 8, 2025.
The fighter squadron joins Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, in support of flight operations across the Indo-Pacific region.
VMFA-232 will integrate as the new UDP squadron, to eventually replace the current UDP squadron, VMFA-214.
The Unit Deployment Program provides continental U.S.-based units with experience operating in the Indo-Pacific through continuous and overlapping deployments to the region.
The Red Devils will augment 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in providing critical aviation support from naval and expeditionary environments.
This allows the Marine Corps to ensure operational readiness as obligated in support of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.
For additional queries, please contact 1STMAWCOMMSTRAT@usmc.mil.
According to the Marine Corps, the Red Devils’ presence will strengthen the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing’s capacity to deliver critical aviation support.
Their deployment enables operations from both naval and expeditionary environments across the region.
Story by 1st Lt. Brady Atwal
1st Marine Aircraft Wing