Official VMFA(AW)-224 Bengals F-18 Hornet Tail Flash Patch Crisis Response Force and humanitarian assistance — a

and humanitarian assistance — a mission set that has grown exponentially from the days when helicopter squadrons primarily moved cargo and people between ships

The Superheats maintained combat readiness as a reserve unit

The medal with the combat "V" recognizes valor in direct contact with the enemy

000 gallons of water on the Basin Complex Fire in Big Sur — and has supported multiple 15th and 31st MEU deployments through the modern era

and provide close air support — often all within the same deployment

Official VMFA(AW)-224 Bengals F-18 Hornet Tail Flash Patch Crisis Response Force and humanitarian assistance — aOfficial VMFA(AW) 224 Bengals F 18 Hornet Tail Flash Patch Tiger Stripes on the Tail The Bengals painted their F A 18 tails with tiger stripes, and this tail flash patch captures that fierce identity. Marine Fighter Attack (All Weather) Squadron 224 (VMFA(AW) 224), the Bengals, operates from MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, under Marine Aircraft Group 31 and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. This tail flash patch replicates the distinctive Bengal tiger markings