U.S. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA-232), known as the “Red Devils,” arrived at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, on September 8, 2025, as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program (UDP).
The F/A-18 Hornet squadron, based out of MCAS Miramar, California, is now assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, in support of ongoing operations throughout the Indo-Pacific.
The rotation reflects the Marine Corps’ continued focus on maintaining a forward-deployed aviation presence in Asia. VMFA-232 will replace Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 (VMFA-214), the unit currently serving under the UDP rotation.
The deployment is part of a long-standing effort by the Marine Corps to ensure combat-ready forces are present in theater to respond to evolving security challenges. According to the service, the UDP enables Marine units stationed in the continental United States to gain operational experience in the Indo-Pacific region through recurring and overlapping deployments.
“The Red Devils will augment 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in providing critical aviation support from naval and expeditionary environments,” the Marine Corps said in a release. “This allows the Marine Corps to ensure operational readiness as obligated in support of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.”
The deployment of VMFA-232 also reinforces commitments under joint U.S.-Japan defense agreements, amid rising tensions and growing competition in the region. The squadron is expected to conduct training and operational missions that support both U.S. forces and regional allies, operating alongside Japanese and partner-nation militaries during joint exercises and readiness events.
VMFA-232 is one of the Marine Corps’ oldest and most experienced fighter squadrons, operating the twin-engine F/A-18 Hornet. The aircraft is capable of executing a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, close air support, and interdiction. Its deployment to Japan places it in a key forward location for rapid response across the Pacific theater.
The Marine Corps’ 1st Marine Aircraft Wing provides aviation support to III Marine Expeditionary Force and operates from multiple forward-deployed locations in Japan. With the addition of VMFA-232, the Wing maintains a high state of operational readiness while supporting the rotational force model designed to enhance regional stability.
The Marine Corps says that deployments like this are essential to maintaining a scalable, combat-credible force aligned with the U.S. National Defense Strategy.