Late in October, the squadron arrived at Ulithi, in the Caroline Islands and immediately began flying combat air patrols.

Between April and August 1945, Major Robert B. Porter and Captain Wallace E. Sigler became the first night fighter pilots to score their fifth victories on Okinawa.

Following a short tour of occupation duty at Yokosuka, Japan, VMF(N)-542 was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.

After receiving the new twin-engine, radar-upgraded F7F Tigercat, VMF(AW)-542 was ordered to Kimpo Airfield, South Korea in September 1950.

Returning to El Toro, CA in March 1951, VMF(AW)-542 transitioned into the jet age by acquiring the F3D Skyknight.

[1] The squadron's first tour in South Vietnam ended in early December 1965 when it redeployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

While serving in Vietnam, the Tigers furnished air support to ground forces in some of the largest land operations of the war.

Included in these operations were: Utah, Texas, Prairie, Union, Kingfisher, Fremont, Allen Brook, Napoleon/Saline, Lancaster, Scotland, Nevada Eagle and Idaho Canyon.

After the November 1968 bombing halt of North Vietnam, the Tigers flew escort for reconnaissance missions over that area.

Even more capable in V/STOL operations, the AV-8B extends the range and payload and incorporates state of the art technology for navigation and weapon delivery.

The alert status lasted until five hours after the commencement of Operation Desert Storm on 17 January 1991, when the first division of VMA-542 Harriers launched to suppress Iraqi artillery positions in Southern Kuwait.

These final prep fires included Mk77 Napalm delivered on trench lines in the area where the Marine Expeditionary Force breaching operation would occur.

In addition, the Tigers continued targeting of enemy artillery and armor, which could be brought to bear against the Allies during their breaching operations.

Throughout these forty-two days of conflict the Tigers of VMA-542 flew more than 1000 combat sorties amassing over 1200 flight hours while delivering over one thousand tons of ordnance on the enemy.

When the war commenced, VMA-542 responded by delivering more ordnance, flying more sorties, and accruing more combat hours than any other V/STOL squadron in theater.

Additionally, on 25 February, Capt Scott "Vapor" Walsh was struck by an IR SAM while flying against Iraqi armored forces counterattacking the 2nd Marine Division.

Walsh eventually ejected near Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base and evaded capture until rescued by elements of Marine Task Force Ripper.

September marked a recovery period as the squadron deployed two jets and approximately 25 Marines back to Yuma Arizona to support the fall Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course.

Throughout a 6 month deployment, the Tigers provided Close Air Support to Special Operations Forces in some of the most demanding terrain imaginable.

[6] VMFA-542 received its first F-35B on 31 May 2023[7] and became the Marine Corps’ first east coast F-35B fleet squadron after achieving Safe For Flight certification on 11 August 2023.