Unit Will Remain On Cadre Status

"Like the Greek gods of Homer, they (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 134) have earned the right to sleep the sleep of heroes, and even in their sacred slumber will remain ever vigilant to return to the call to arms," said Brig. Gen. Mark Bircher, the commanding general of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, during the squadron's cadre August 11 ceremony on the flight line at MCAS Miramar.

Bircher opened the ceremony by complimenting the squadron, which belongs to Marine Aircraft Group 46, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, on their legendary availability, commitment and work effort. It was this commitment that resulted in the squadron going to cadre status vice decommission.

"The Marines and sailors poured their hearts into this squadron," Bircher said. "That is the main reason they will be on cadre status, instead of being decommissioned."

Cadre status means the Department of the Navy can reactivate the squadron -- which most recently flew F/A-18 Hornets -- without an act of Congress if they are needed again.

"I'm really sad to see them (VMFA-134) go, but I want to tell everyone that we're (4th MAW) still a force in readiness and have our battle glasses on," Bircher said.

Retired Maj. James Dinsmore, a General Motors TBM-3E Avenger pilot with the squadron from 1944-1946, was the guest of honor at the ceremony. Several other previous VMFA-134 commanding officers attended, showing their commitment to the unit in which more than 5,000 Marines have served.

"This ceremony marks the end of a long and proud history of service to the Marine Corps and our country," said Col. Harry Constant, the current commanding officer of VMFA-134. "Many of our former squadron members have traveled great distances to be here. We honor your legacy and years of dedicated service."

The squadron has served in many capacities in its 52 years of service, and most recently acted as a pivotal asset in the Mojave Viper Training Exercise.

"Had it not been for the commitment of the members of the squadron and the support of higher headquarters, they (VMFA-134) might not have been able to drop hundreds of thousands of pounds of ordnance or contributed to the training of more than 25,000 Marines before they left for combat duty," Constant explained.

VMFA-134 will move the majority of their active duty Marines to other Hornet squadrons. Others have recieved orders to drill instructor or recruiting duty, according to Constant.

Reservists will continue to take positions in other reserve squadrons or serve on recruiting duty.

Four of the squadron's aircraft were transferred to Navy fleet squadrons in California and Virginia. Three were transferred to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, here, two were transferred to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 at MCAS Miramar, and the last Hornet was transferred to a Navy aggressor squadron.

Sgt. Michael Hakes, a reserve airframe mechanic who joined the squadron in 2001, said the ceremony brought a lot of emotion out of past and present members of the squadron.

"It's sad to see the squadron go, but this is the time to celebrate its proud history. The Marines here had a lot of good times and the memories will last forever," said Hakes.

(Aero-News salutes Cpl. Martin R. Harris And Lance Cpl. Freddie Coleman, MCAS Miramar. Ceremony photo by Lance Cpl. Freddie Coleman.)

FMI: www.marines.mil