Editing VMFA-232 (section)

===Vietnam War===
[[File:F-4Js VMFA-232 IFR.jpg|thumb|F-4J 155811: This aircraft was the only Marine jet lost to enemy aircraft in Vietnam, 26 August 1972.]]
[[File:F-4S VMFA232 Smithsonian.jpg|right|thumb|An F-4S from VMFA-232 on display at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C.]]

As a result of intensified operations in [[Southeast Asia]], VMF(AW)-232 departed MCAS Kaneohe Bay, and were flying combat sorties out of [[Da Nang Air Base]], [[South Vietnam]] by December 1966.  Staying online for the next 290 consecutive days, the squadron flew 5,785 sorties encompassing 7,273 flight hours and delivering 6,221 tons of ordnance.  The squadron's aircraft were equipped with TPQ-10 bombing radar receivers thus making them ideal [[close air support]] platforms.  They were also the only Marine aircraft capable of carrying 2,000-pound bombs until the arrival of Marine [[A-6 Intruder]]s.{{sfn|Mersky|1983|pp=224}}

In September 1967, the squadron returned to MCAS El Toro and painted the Red Devil insignia on their new McDonnell Douglas [[F-4 Phantom]]s. Redesignated as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, the squadron returned to [[Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni|MCAS Iwakuni]], Japan. In March 1969, the squadron deployed to MAG 13 at [[Chu Lai Air Base]], Vietnam, supporting ground operations in [[I Corps (South Vietnam)|I Corps]]. They returned to Iwakuni in late 1969.

In April 1972, the entire squadron redeployed from Japan to Vietnam with minimum notice to counter the spring offensive of that year. After a three-month stay at Da Nang Air Base, VMFA-232 moved its operations to [[Royal Thai Air Base Nam Phong]], [[Thailand]]. Here they continued to fly air to ground sorties in addition to playing a key fighter role on [[Operation Linebacker]] missions over [[North Vietnam]]. During their time operating out of Thailand, the squadron lost three F-4J Phantoms and two crewman. One of these aircraft was shot down by a [[MiG-21]] over North Vietnam.{{sfn|Mersky|1983|pp=281}}  The only "last" in VMFA-232's history occurred in September 1973 as the Red Devils became the last Marine squadron to leave the [[Vietnam War]].

The squadron remained at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan as a force in readiness while participating in numerous training deployments and exercises. In 1974, the Red Devils received the coveted Robert M. Hanson "Marine Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year" award.

In October 1977, the Red Devils of VMFA-232 returned to MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, after an eleven-year absence. This event, in turn, marked the beginning of Red Devils participation in the demanding Westpac Unit Deployment Program. In October 1986, the Red Devils completed their sixth, and last six-month tour of the Western Pacific in the venerable F-4 Phantom. In December 1988, VMFA-232 turned in their last F-4 Phantom II to the [[National Air and Space Museum]].