VMFA 211 Avengers

Today’s comes from with this awesome shot before we departed to the

It was an honor and a privilege to serve alongside everyone attached to the HMS Queen Elizabeth. For additional reading on this historic moment feel free to check out this featured article.

https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/2743788/vmfa-211-conducts-first-cross-deck-aviation-mission-in-modern-naval-history/

“Department of the Navy.

This is to certify that the Secretary of Navy has awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal to Cpl Lauritzen…”

Cpl Lauritzen receives his NAM shortly after checking into VMFA-211 for his actions at his previous unit. He is currently assigned as the S4 NCOIC, and we look forward to having him aboard.

Great job, Avenger!

Happy birthday, !

MARADMIN 021/24
On behalf of the United States Marine Corps, I wish a Happy Birthday to the United States Coast Guard on the occasion of the 234th anniversary of its establishment.

Since it’s founding by Alexander Hamilton on 4 Aug 1790, the Coast Guard has continuously provided safety and security to the Nation’s maritime interest, by saving lives and standing vigilant over America’s waterways and ports overseas.

The Coast Guard has been one of the three armed naval forces guarding American shores since its inception. During the War of 1812, US Revenue Cutter Jefferson made the first capture of a British vessel when it took the British brig Patriot in June 1812. From the 18th Century to present, Coast Guardsmen and their cutters have protected the Nation in peace and wartime.

Semper Fidelis, Eric M. Smith, General, US Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The first of the month, you know what that means?

Promotions and awards! The Commanding Officer had the pleasure of promoting two Officers, one meritorious Sgt, and awarding four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

Congratulations Maj Waggoner, CWO2 Wisneski, and Sgt Williams on their promotion and Sgt Devera, Sgt Griffith, Cpl Harris, and Cpl Huffman on the awards! Great job, Avengers!

April 7, 1967: A Marine Captain, 27, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has a last swallow of coffee before going on a strike mission against Viet Cong fortified positions 30 miles south of Chu Lai.

Image from USMC Archives via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

https://www.facebook.com/HistoryUnbound?mibextid=LQQJ4d

#1967

It’s NAM!

Today, Sgt Madison Sarratt was recognized for all of her hard work with VMFA-211 prior to transfer. Being a recent graduate of the Basic Recruiter’s Course, her next chapter lies with the .

Good luck out on those streets, Avenger!

Repost from

On June 19, 1865 - more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - troops marched to Galveston, Texas to free the last of the enslaved Black Americans. Today, we celebrate their resilience, resistance, and liberation on .

Today the Commanding General from , Major General Michael J Borgschulte, stopped for a visit to VMFA-211. He had many great things to pass to the Marines as well as a few meritorious tokens of appreciation. WAKE

Big congratulations to Cpl Peyton Robles on being named Honor Graduate from the most recent Corporal’s Course aboard

Corporal’s Course is designed to provide Marines with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to assume greater responsibility as a noncommissioned officer.

May was a busy month for VMFA-211. One of the biggest honors we have is the ability to promote and award Marines for all their hard work. Great job, Avengers!

Promotion:
GySgt Adams

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal:
SSgt Noble
Cpl Allen
Cpl Morales
LCpl Betancourt
LCpl Vega

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander, International Security Assistance Force, pays tribute to Lt. Col. Christopher K. Raible at Camp Bastion, Helmand province, Afghanistan Sept. 19, 2012. Raible, commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3D Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), was killed in action while repealing an enemy attack on Camp Bastion Sept. 14, 2012.

Photo by Sgt. Keonaona Paulo
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/671669/lt-col-raible-memorial

VMFA-211 Spouses during their May get-together celebrating Mother’s Day, Military Spouse Appreciation, and AANHPI month 🌺

Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

VMFA-211 wants to send a heartfelt thanks to all of our Military Spouses! You are part of the Avenger team, you make it possible for us to do what we do best. Late nights, early mornings, extended detachments, it isn't possible without you all.

The competition was tough, but tonight the Wake Island Avengers brought home the 🥇 from the MCAS Yuma Sand Volleyball 🏐 Tournament! Special thanks to the staff and all the families that came out to support.

Great job, Avengers! 🟥⬜️🟥⬜️

In celebration of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the Wake Island Avengers honor the accomplishments of AANHPI Marines past and present. Thank you for your service!

Background photo: U. S. Air Force photo/TSgt John Gordinier

Marine Aviation Ordnance celebrates 102 years of dropping

While we may never know who the first Marine to hand a gr***de to a pilot was, but their spirit continues on in each and every Aviation Ordnance Marine.

An excerpt from the Deputy Commandant, Aviation.

"On 25 April 2024, our Aviation Ordnance Marines will celebrate their 102nd birthday. Please join me in extending our sincere appreciation for those Aviation Ordnance Marines, past and present, and congratulate them on their prodigious heritage that has ensured the lethality of our aviation weapon systems for over a century. Today, more than ever, we rely on the Aviation Ordnance community to ensure our advantage against our potential adversaries.

Congratulations to each and every Aviation Ordnance Marine and your families. I hope this day allows for an opportunity to reflect on historical achievements and to look forward towards the challenges of the future. Celebrate this day in history and accept my continued appreciation for your contributions to the Marine aviation mission."

Semper fi, Marines!
LtGen Bradford J. Gering
Deputy Commandant, Aviation.

Photo 1: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Photo-Gallery/igphoto/2002870947/
Photo 2: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8154276/steel-knight-232-atat-ordnance-operations
Photo 3: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6799409/31st-meu-re-fuels-and-re-arms-vmfa-211
Photo 4: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6702882/vmfa-211-flies-combat-sorties-support-operation-inherent-resolve
Photo 5: https://www.marines.mil/Photos/igphoto/2001726737/
Photo 6: by SSgt Zachary R. Yoder
Photo 7: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6832150/vmfa-211-becomes-first-fleet-squadron-employ-gbu-49

VMFA-211 Avengers representing at the dodgeball tournament aboard MCAS Yuma. We’ll call this one an easy win for the Avengers. 👌🏼

The VMFA-211 Avengers softball team took on MACS-1 for a scrimmage game tonight. The Avengers were looking strong out there and brought home the win. Great job, Avengers!

If you’ve got the heart, the head, and the diploma…

Maybe you can be one of us.

If you got what it takes to be a high school graduate, chances are you’ve got what it takes to be a Marine. It’s never been easy, but it is this simple. Make it with us and we’ll teach you a skill that could pay off for life, get in great shape, and let you in over two hundred years of pride. If that’s enough for you, do something about it. Mail the card or call 800-423-2600, toll free. In California. 800-252-0241.

The Few.
The Proud.
The Marines.

Happy birthday Marines!

Out here in Hawaii, VMFA-211 Marines climbed Koko Head, 1048 stairs, for time as a shop, as our BAMF competition for the month of September. Firefighters climbed around 2220 stairs on 9/11, this was our way of honoring their efforts on that tragic day. The Marines crushed it!! Congrats to S-3/S-4 for winning the belt this month!

The 2nd Annual Hammerin' Hank Golf Tournament is just around the corner, on September 9th, 2023! Sign your 4-person team up using the QR code and have the opportunity to win prizes and bragging rights of best team. All are welcome!!

Interested in becoming a sponsor or know someone who would like to be a sponsor, please contact 928-210-1035. All proceeds benefit the MC Birthday Ball.

Remembering our heroes on Memorial Day. All gave some, some gave all. These are the Avengers that gave all at Wake Island.

And on Fridays, we fight.

May BAMF. Each month the Avengers do a physical challenge and the winner is named the BAMF. This month the CO surprised us with an all hands plank competition. Our winner lasted over 7 minutes. How long can you hold a plank for?

May the 4th be with you

. The family of a former Avenger graced us this week with some intimate knowledge of our squadron’s actions back in WWII. We were flying the mighty Corsair out of the Philippines, supporting Marines on the ground. It is a fascinating read, and this man’s full story can be read in our squadron library.

Sunset flight at Red Flag 23-1. Happy Monday!

📸 .photo

The A-4M, 1986.

The Wake Island Avengers were redesignated from VMF-211 to VMA-211 in 1952, reflecting the transition to an attack role with the A-4 Skyhawk. The first jets were received in 1957, and the Avengers flew many models of the A-4. These photos were taken in El Toro, California, where the squadron received the last new-build version of the Skyhawk, the A-4M.

On Thursday, 3/16, an all spouse event was held at the Yuma Golf and Country Club. Speakers came to discuss topics such as retirement, life insurance, transitioning after the military, and spouse employment. The event ended with a competitive game of jeopardy complete with giveaways and prizes from local businesses.