The ‘Bengals’ of VMFA(AW)-224 flew the A=6E Intruder out of MCAS Cherry Point, NC, but transitioned to the F/A-18D Hornet. Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 (VMFA(AW)-224) is a USMC F/A-18 Hornet squadron known as the “Fighting Bengals”. The squadron is based at MCAS Beaufort, SC and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). The Bengals are one of only two Marine F/A-18D Hornet Squadrons currently operating (2023) out of MCAS Beaufort, S.C. The other is the VMFA-115 Hawks. This is the 3-inch version (with the “TIGER STRIPES” at a 45-degree angle) of their RED AIR aircraft bullet patch and does not come with velcro attached.
