I'm currently deployed with VMFA(AW)-533 to Iwakuni. The squadron is on det to Khorat, Thailand. I'm looking specifically for any 533 information during Vietnam in Chu Lai, Iwakuni, or Thailand.
I served as an Aviation Ordnanceman with '533 from Nov '71 until Nov '72. They were flying A-6's at that time. We were in Iwakuni, assigned to MAG-12 when I joined the Squadron. Maj. Cathcart was our C.O. You might like his website at www.mofak.com for additional info. Anyway, in the May of '72, the two A-4 squadrons, VMA-211 and 311 attached to MAG-12 were deployed to Bien Hoa, SVN. '533 remained in Iwakuni. On 20 June 1972, '533 deployed to Nam Phong RTAFB(MCAS Rose Garden), and were attached to MAG-15 along with VMFA-115 and VMFA-232. This was in direct support of the South Vietnamese forces during Linebacker I and II. '533 remained at Nam Phong until August 1973. If you're interested in what life was like at the Rose Garden go to www.namphong.com
What is the history behind the "Be Humble You Cool Muthas" patch? I saw that on the namphong webpage. The squadron has been wearing the patch here in Thailand but no one really knows anything about it except that it is connected with 533 and the Rose Garden.
A Navy Captain is MAG-12 CO right now. A few years ago the Navy and Marine Corps went through a process to get more Marine F-18 squadrons aboard the carriers. Part of that started Navy F-18 squadrons doing UDP rotations to Iwakuni. Currently, VFA-97 is attached to MAG-12 along with VMFA(AW)-533 and VMFA(AW)-242. As part of the "integration", Navy Captains eligible to be the CO of MAG-12 and the Marines got a Navy CAG CO. The next MAG-12 CO will be a Marine.
