VMFA-224

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224
Active1 May 1942 - present
Country United States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
TypeFighter/Attack
RoleClose air support
Air interdiction
Aerial reconnaissance
Part ofMarine Aircraft Group 31
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Garrison/HQMarine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Nicknames"Fighting Bengals"
Fighting Wildcats (WWII)
Tail CodeWK
EngagementsWorld War II
* Battle of Guadalcanal
* Battle of Okinawa
Vietnam War
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Joint Endeavor
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Inherent Resolve
Commanders
Commanding OfficerLtCol J. Stuart
Executive OfficerLtCol J. Woods
Senior Enlisted LeaderSgtMaj S. Buckom
Aircraft flown
AttackDouglas A4D Skyhawk
Grumman A-6 Intruder
FighterGrumman F4F Wildcat
Vought F4U Corsair
McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee
Grumman F9F Panther
McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18D Hornet
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224 (VMFA-224) is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) F-35B Lightning II squadron. Also known as the "Fighting Bengals", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). The Bengals started their transition to the F-35B Lightning II in the summer of 2025.