Editing VMFA-232 (section)

===Global War on Terror===
The squadron deployed to [[Kuwait]] in February 2003 and took part in the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] as part of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]].{{r|Napper}} During the three and a half weeks of the war the squadron flew 1,150 hours during 540 sorties dropping 620,000 pounds of ordnance.<ref>{{cite book |first=Michael D |last=Visconage |author2=Carroll N Harris  |title=Third Marine Aircraft Wing&nbsp;– Operation Iraqi Freedom |publisher=Marine Corps Association |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-940328-33-4}}</ref> The squadron returned to MCAS Miramar in May 2003.<ref>{{cite news
  | last = Steele
  | first = Jeanette
  | title = 30-person advance team from Miramar is welcomed back from Gulf
  | work = San Diego Union-Tribune
  | publisher = Union-Tribune Publishing Co
  | date = 23 April 2003
  | url = http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/homefront/20030423-9999_1n23return.html
  | access-date =  2007-03-28}}</ref>  In 2005, VMFA-232 became part of the [[United States Navy]]'s [[Carrier Air Wing 11]]. In May 2005 they deployed with the rest of CVW-11 aboard the {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|6}} to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf, participating in combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, [[Operation Enduring Freedom]], and multinational exercises with [[Japan]], [[Egypt]], and [[India]] until November 2005.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = Carrier Air Wing Eleven&nbsp;– Command History
  | work = Commander Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet
  | publisher = United States Navy
  | url = http://www.lemoore.navy.mil/cvw-11
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/19990819042558/http://www.lemoore.navy.mil/cvw-11/
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 19 August 1999
  | access-date =  2007-03-28}}</ref>
Early in the ''Nimitz'' deployment, several of the squadron members were interviewed for the [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] documentary ''[[Carrier (documentary)|Carrier]]''. In 2007 the squadron deployed on the Nimitz again for a six-month cruise to the Persian Gulf. Four months later they did another WestPac deployment on the Nimitz. In January 2010 VMFA-232 accepted two [[F/A-18D Hornet]] aircraft and left in May 2010 for a deployment to [[Kandahar, Afghanistan]] in support of [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Operation Enduring Freedom]].  While in Afghanistan the Red Devils flew 4,090 Flight hours encompassing 1190 sorties and dropped 240,000&nbsp;lbs of ordnance and expended 30,000 rounds of 20mm ammunition.  They returned to MCAS Miramar in November 2010.<ref>[http://www.dvidshub.net/news/58266/red-devils-clear-path-werewolves 'Red Devils' clear path for 'Werewolves']</ref>

On 27 March 2015, the Red Devils would embark on their final combat deployment of the GWOT era. Based at Shaikh Isa, [[Bahrain]], VMFA-232, and flying under the callsign “Stoic”, the Red Devils dropped over 261,000 lbs of ordnance and shot over 20,000 rounds of 20mm in support of Marines and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria. With nearly every employment inside of 500 meters VMFA-232 quickly gained the special trust and confidence of battalion commanders, air officers, joint tactical air controllers, and the individual Marine or coalition partner on the ground. The callsign “Stoic” became a known and much preferred brand of support. As the deployment progressed ground forces ceased requesting first available fixed wing support, but simply requested “Stoic”. Squadron pilots and personnel departed Bahrain on 16 October 2015, with support personnel arriving back home at MCAS Miramar on 18 October 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing History |url=http://www.3rdmaw.marines.mil/Units/MAG11/VMFA232/History |publisher=US Marine Corps |access-date=21 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316203622/http://www.3rdmaw.marines.mil/Units/MAG11/VMFA232/History |archive-date=16 March 2015}}{{source-attribution}}</ref>

In accordance with the 2025 Aviation plan, the squadron will begin transitioning to the [[F-35C Lightning II]] in fiscal year 2029 and will complete the transition no later than FY 2030.<ref>http://gonavy.jp/usmc00a.html</ref>