The squadron was deployed from October to November 1942 to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11.

During the next ten months they flew in support of operations on Guadalcanal and did not lose one pilot in combat over that time.

In August 1997, due to the pending BRAC 93-mandated closure of NAS Cecil Field by the end of 1999, the squadron relocated to Naval Air Station Atlanta, approximately 25 miles (40 km) North of Atlanta in Marietta, Georgia.

Three of the Hornets then flew to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico for additional Fleet training operations.

In February 2005, VMFA-142 became the first fixed wing Marine reserve fighter unit activated to combat since the Korean War.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.