VMA(AW)-224 Challenge Coin

VMA (AW) 242 aka Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 is a United States Marine Corps squadron flying F-35B Lightning II STOVL Stealth Fighter. The squadron, known as the “Bats”, is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW).

VMA (AW) 242 was originally activated as Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 242 in 1943. Upon activation, the squadron began training at El Centro, Calif., flying the TBF-1 and TBM-1 Avenger. The squadron was then deployed to Espiritu Santo in the Southwest Pacific aboard the USS Kitum Bay in February 1944. Thus began the squadron’s long combat history, starting in the Northern Solomons, later shifting to Saipan and Tinian, and finally to Iwo Jima, where the squadron flew anti-submarine patrols until the end of World War II.

The custom challenge coin that we built for them is dedicated to the squadron members from 1966 to 1993, also known as the Intruder era. They wanted something unsophisticated and with minimum decorations and colors applied. They wanted to have their insignia on one side, and an engraved image of two Intruder aircraft. It’s a handsome, clean and simple challenge coin.

Make your Marine Squadron challenge coins with Embleholics, the 100% veteran-owned and operated challenge coin company! Just request a quote from us and we will contact you within 24 hours and get started on your coins.