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| Commanding Officers from 11 Sep 1982 to the Present | ||||
| LtCol Gary R. Van Gysel | 11 Sep 1982-1 Jun 1984 | LtCol Ray Priest | 19 Jan 1996-18 Dec 1997 | |
| LtCol Donald A. Beaufait | 2 Jun 1984-20 Jun 1986 | LtCol James R. Keadle | 19 Dec 1997-13 Jan 2000 | |
| LtCol Dennis T. Krupp | 21 Jun 1986-4 May 1888 | LtCol Eric C. Weber | 14 Jan 2000-26 Oct 2001 | |
| LtCol Robert R. Nelson | 5 May 1988-28 June 1989 | LtCol Gary L. Thomas | 27 Oct 2001-13 Jun 2003 | |
| Maj Lynn M. Champagne | 29 Jun 1989-28 Sept 1989 | LtCol Robert Charette | 14 Jun 2003-18 Aug 2005 | |
| LtCol Robert E. Houser | 29 Sept 1989-22 May 1991 | LtCol R.A. Pescatore | 19 Aug 2005-21 Sep 2007 | |
| LtCol Steven J. King | 23 May 1991-6 Jan 1993 | LtCol Robert C. Friedman | 22 Sep 2007-17 July 2009 | |
| Maj Clarence L. Wallace * | 7 Jan 1993-28 Apr 1994 | LtCol William H. Swan | 18 July 2009- | |
| LtCol James L. Flock | 29 Apr 1994-18 Jan 1996 | |||
| *LtCol Select | ||||
On 14 Sept 1982, VMFA-323 officially began the transition to the world’s foremost strike fighter, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet The Death Rattler fighter pilots employed their new jets in an intensive series of air-to-air and air-to-ground training exercises, as well as several live missile firings. In October 1985, VMFA-323 became the first Marine Squadron to deploy the F/A-18 aboard ship, the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) with Carrier Air Wing-13, this time to the Mediterranean Sea. The squadron distinguished itself in the winter and spring of 1986 during Freedom of Navigation exercises held in international waters and airspace off the coast of Libya. On 15 April 1986, VMFA-323 provided SAM suppression and fighter Combat Air Patrol (CAP) sorties during the overland strikes on Libyan targets in support of the national policy to deter terrorism. As a result of this effective protection, no U.S. Navy or Marine Corps aircraft were lost.
From October 1988 through April 1989, VMFA-323 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, participating in the 6 month USMC Unit Deployment Program (UDP) for the first time. Following a short year at MCAS El Toro, Ca., the Death Rattlers again found themselves in Iwakuni on UDP. Due to Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, this trip was extended to almost 11 months away from home and family. They remained forward-deployed in Japan so other Marine squadrons could deploy to the Persian Gulf and kick Iraq out of Kuwait.
On 7 April 1993, the squadron took delivery of their LOT XV F/A-18C aircraft, the newest model of the combat-teased Hornet, and began to ready itself for the new missions that these aircraft would allow the squadron to accomplish. During the 1990’s, the primary focus of the Death Rattlers was carrier operations with the USS constellation. In November 1994, the Snakes departed MCAS El toro for a six-month deployment aboard the “Connie”. Three of the four months, the squadron supported Operation Southern Watch, flying 411 combat sorties over the skies of Iraq. In May 1995, VMFA-323 flew off the “Connie” to their new home, NAS Miramar. The Snakes made two additional WesPac deployments aboard the USS Constellation, from April to October 1997 and again from June to December 1999, both times supporting Operation southern Watch and other joint exercises aboard. During this last WesPac deployment, the squadron dropped 22,000 pounds of laser guided munitions on military targets in response to Iraqi violations of United Nations sanctions.
In 1998, NAS Miramar was officially handed over to the Marine Corps and redisgnated MCAS Miramar. The Snakes were again awarded the Mike Yunck Award for being the “Best of the Best” of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Death Rattlers were awarded the coveted Mike Yunck Award for a third time.
Late in 2003 the Death Rattlers deployed aboard the “Conno>” Reaching the Persian gulf in December, they began flyinf OSW missions. When Operation Iraqi Freedom kicked off in mis March 2003, Death Rattler pilots led the opening stages of “Shock and Awe” with deep stricks into the heart of the Iraqi capital. The squadron deployed again to the Persian Gulf in 2005 aboard the USS Carl Vinson. LtCol John C. “Dukes” Spahr and Captian Kelly C. “Trash” Hinz were killed during that cruise over Iraq. The squadron again returned to the Persian gulf aboard the USS John C. Stennis in 2007. During the 2007 cruise the Death Rattlers supported bothMarine and NATO units on the ground in Afganistan.
The Marine Corps has recognized VMFA-323 as the outstanding Marine fighter squadron by presenting the Death Rattlers with the coveted Robert M. Hanson award in 1975, 1976, 1980, 1986 and 2003.
The tactical call sign “Death Rattler” has become synonymous with professionalism, sound tactics, and aggressive maintenance personnel. Death Rattler ground crews have consistently through the years provided the pilots with superbly maintained aircraft.
The 323 Death Rattlers will continue, as they have in the past, to eagerly and realistically prepare to meet head-on any and all challenges that the future may present. Always striving to meet the high standards set by the Death Rattlers who preceded them and to add to its proud heritage. VMFA-323 will continue to live by their motto:
“COME TO FIGHT – COME TO WIN”
Are you a current member of VMFA-323 or still on active duty and were in VMFA-323? We would like to add you to our Squadron Roster . We would also like to update the history!