USMC’s legacy Hornet-equipped ‘Silver Eagles’ stand down

The USMC moved another step closer to phasing out its legacy Hornet fleet on November 9, when Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 (VMFA-115) was deactivated at MCAS Beaufort in South Carolina. Known as the ‘Silver Eagles’, VMFA-115 had flown the F/A-18C/D as a component of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s (MAW) Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31). The squadron was initially activated as Marine Fighting Squadron 115 (VMF-115) at MCAS Santa Barbara, California, on July 1, 1943, and was placed under