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In April 1945, the Black Sheep were moved to Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California, and then to MCAS El Toro, California in October 1945. In the next few years, the Black Sheep deployed for operations on board USS Rendova, USS Bairoko, USS Badoeng Strait, and USS Boxer.
Vella Lavella Island in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. This was the home airfield for Marine fighter squadron VMF 214, the famous Black Sheep Squadron led by Gregory "Pappy" Boyington. They were one of the leading fighter squadrons during WW2 in the Pacific.
VMF-214 was established in 1943, stationed on the remote island of Vella Lavella in the Pacific Theater. Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, with his unmatched flying skills and charisma, assumed command of the squadron.
Jan 3, 2020 · Most Americans think of “Pappy” Boyington as actor Robert Conrad portrayed him in the TV series Baa Baa Black Sheep, yet even that nickname was invented by the press. In the Solomons his pilots called the 30- year-old major “Gramps.”
- Don Hollway
…organized Squadron 214, called the Black Sheep Squadron, one of the most renowned fighting units of the war, operating mostly in the Solomon Islands. On his last mission, on January 3, 1944, he shot down three Japanese aircraft but was himself shot down in Rabaul harbour, New Britain, and was… Read More
Oct 21, 2016 · May 1965: The Black Sheep were Assigned to Marine Air Group 12 and relocated to Iwakuni Japan. June 21, 1965: The first division of Black Sheep Skyhawks fly into Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam utilizing a new 4,000 foot Marine "SATS" runway.
Jun 24, 2024 · Officially, they were known as the Marine Fighter Squadron 214 (VMF-214), and they got started in 1943. They were stationed on a tiny island called Vella Lavella, way out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. These flyers were under the watch of a great pilot named Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington.
