Official VMA-231 Ace of Spades Retirement Tail Flash PVC Glow Tail Flash Patch

VMA-231 Ace of Spades Retirement Tail Flash Patch

Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231), the legendary "Ace of Spades," holds the extraordinary distinction of being the oldest flying squadron in the United States Marine Corps, tracing its origins to 8 February 1919 when it was activated as the 1st Division, Squadron 1 in Miami, Florida—a unit that emerged from the Northern Bombing Group of Northern France in World War I. After adopting the iconic Ace of Spades insignia—designed by 2nd Lieutenant Hayne D. Boyden, with the "A" representing "Air" and the "S" representing "Squadron"—the unit became the first official insignia in Marine Corps aviation history.

Reactivated on 15 May 1973, VMA-231 became the Marine Corps' newest squadron flying the Corps' newest aircraft, the Hawker Siddeley AV-8A Harrier—the first V/STOL aircraft adopted by the USMC. In 1977, VMA-231 became the first recipient of the V/STOL Squadron of the Year Award. On 2 August 1985, the squadron converted to the AV-8B Harrier II. In June 1990, VMA-231 deployed to the Western Pacific as a full squadron for the first time since World War II, and when Operation Desert Shield began, the Ace of Spades flew an unprecedented 18,000 nautical miles around the world in 14 days to join MAG-13, setting a fleet Harrier record of 904 flight hours in December 1990.

During Desert Storm, VMA-231 flew 987 combat sorties and 1,195.8 hours, delivering a grand total of 1,692,000 pounds of ammunition against enemy positions. The squadron deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 flying close air support from Kandahar, and subsequently supported Operations Allied Force, Odyssey Dawn, Inherent Resolve, and Prosperity Guardian. On 29 May 2025, VMA-231 conducted its final AV-8B Harrier II flight at MCAS Cherry Point, marking the end of an era. The squadron will reactivate as VMFA-231, transitioning to the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

Perfect For: VMA-231 Ace of Spades members and veterans, AV-8B Harrier II community members, MAG-14 and 2nd MAW personnel, V/STOL aviation enthusiasts, and collectors of historic Marine Corps aviation memorabilia.

The Ace of Spades—the Marine Corps' oldest flying squadron and first in everything, from the first insignia to the first Harrier in combat, now writing its next chapter in the F-35 era.