Marine Fighter Training Squadron 402 (VMFT-402) is an adversary squadron of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, flying the F-5N Tiger II. Known as the "Grim Reapers", the squadron is one of two adversary squadrons in the Marine Corps. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and falls under the command of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Aircraft Group 41. VMFT-402 is a non-deployable unit.
| Marine Fighter Training Squadron 402 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | June 30, 1969 - May 1, 1972 September 2024- present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Adversary Squadron |
| Part of | United States Marine Corps Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina |
| Nickname(s) | "Grim Reapers" |
| Tail Code | HQ |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F-21A Kfir F-5N Tiger II |
Mission
editProvide instruction to active and reserve Fleet Marine Forces and Fleet squadrons through dissimilar air combat training (DACT).
History
editEarly years
editMarine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 402 (HMMT-402) was commissioned on June 30, 1969, at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. The squadron was responsible for training pilots and aircrew to fly the Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight. HMMT-402 was decommissioned on May 1, 1972.[1]
Reactivation as an aggressor squadron
editOn May 30, 2024, three Northrop F-5N Tiger IIs arrived at MCAS Beaufort, SC as the squadron began the process of standing up as the Marine Corps second aggressor squadron. The unit's primary mission when commissioned will be to mimic adversary formations and tactics in order to help train east coast-based squadrons from both the 2d and 4th Marine Aircraft Wings.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- ^ "USMC Status of Forces May-September 1972" (PDF). www.usmcu.edu. United States Marine Corps. 3 May 1972. p. 12. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Baskin, Kyle (2024-06-10). "VMFT-402 Begins Standup at Fighter Town East". Marines.mil. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2024-11-16.