{{morefootnotes|date=January 2024}} {{Use American English|date=January 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox military unit |unit_name= Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 | image= Vmat203.jpg | image_size = 200 |caption= VMAT-203 Insignia |dates= 1 July 1947 – 29 October 2021 |country= [[United States]] |allegiance= [[United States|United States of America]] |branch= [[United States Marine Corps]] |type= Attack |role= [[Fleet Replacement Squadron]] |size= [[Battalion]] |command_structure= [[Marine Aircraft Group 14]]<br/>[[2nd Marine Aircraft Wing]] |garrison= [[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point]] |nickname= "Hawks" |patron= |motto= |colors='''[[Tail Code|KD]]''' |colors_label=Tail Code |march= |mascot= |battles= |anniversaries= |current_commander= N/A |colonel_of_the_regiment= | identification_symbol ="MARS" | identification_symbol_label =Call sign }}
'''Marine Attack Training Squadron 203''' (VMAT-203) was a squadron in the [[United States Marine Corps]] that trained [[naval aviator]]s to fly the [[Harrier II|AV-8B Harrier]]. Also known as the Hawks, the squadron was based at [[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point]] and fell under the command of [[Marine Aircraft Group 14]] and the [[2nd Marine Aircraft Wing]]. Their former radio callsign was "Mars". The squadron was decommissioned on 29 October 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.2ndmaw.marines.mil/News/Article-View/Article/2832665/a-farewell-to-marine-fighter-attack-training-squadron-vmat-203/ |title=A Farewell to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMAT) 203 |last=GySgt Rakes |first=David A. |date=3 November 2021 |website=Marines.mil |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date=6 March 2022 |quote=}} </ref>
==History== [[File:DM-SC-82-07687.JPEG|thumb|left|TAV-8A from VMAT-203 at Cherry Point in 1978.]] Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 and its predecessors date back to 1947. '''VMT-1''' began the evolution in 1947 as an independent squadron and shortly thereafter became part of Marine Training Group 20. Subsequent evolutions were as a unit of Force Aviation Headquarters Group until 1958, at which time VMT-1 again became a separate squadron of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Equipped with the TF-9J "Cougar", and the [[T-33 Shooting Star]], and conducted training in swept-wing refresher/ transition, instrument procedures, and instrument ground school.
On 2 July 1967, VMT-1 received its first [[A-4 Skyhawk]] and began its transition to the new aircraft. The last F-9 was transferred in December of that year.
In May 1972, the squadron was re-designated VMAT-203. With a new mix of aircraft, the A-4M, and TA-4J, the squadron was tasked to train replacement aircrews to [[Fleet Marine Force]] duty.
[[File:Vmat20310206a.JPG|thumb|left|A two-seater TAV-8B Harrier II from VMAT-203 in flight.]]
The arrival of [[V/STOL]] aviation instituted another era for VMAT-203. The squadron's A-4 SkyHawks were retired and VMAT-203 became the [[AV-8 Harrier|AV-8A/C]] training squadron as part of [[Marine Aircraft Group 32]]. In December 1983, the first [[Harrier II|AV-8B Harrier II]] was delivered, and until March 1985, VMAT-203 was assigned the dual missions of training both AV-8A/C pilot and AV-8B replacement aircrews. Having trained its last AV-8A/C pilot in March 1985, VMAT-203's exclusive mission then became the training of AV-8B aircrews and maintenance personnel.
An aircraft from the squadron [[Aviation accidents and incidents|crashed]] on 29 December 2008 near [[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point]]. The pilot was killed in the crash.<ref>[[Associated Press]], "[http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_marinejetcrash_123108/ Caution light rerouted Marine in jet crash]", ''[[Military Times]]'', 4 January 2009.</ref>
On 29 October 2021, the squadron was decommissioned, but reformed as the AV-8B Fleet Replacement Detachment (FRD); using aircraft from [[VMA-223]]—the last AV-8B squadron.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.key.aero/article/usmcs-av-8b-harrier-ii-fleet-replacement-detachment-naf-el-centro|title=The USMC's AV-8B Harrier II Fleet Replacement Detachment at NAF El Centro|website=key.aero|access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref>
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==See also==
* [[List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons]] * [[United States Marine Corps Aviation]]
==References== ;Notes :{{Marine Corps}} {{Reflist}}
;Bibliography
==External links== * [https://www.mag14.marines.mil/Units/VMAT-203/ VMAT-203's official website]
{{US Marine Corps navbox}} {{2ndMAW}}
[[Category:Attack squadrons of the United States Marine Corps|203]] [[Category:Training squadrons of the United States Marine Corps]]