[4] On 1 June 1965, skyhawks from VMA-225 were the first tactical fixed-wing aircraft to land at Chu Lai Air Base[5] for participation in combat operations against Viet Cong forces in South Vietnam.

Several hours after landing, Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Baker, VMA-225 Commanding Officer, lead the first combat mission from the base striking the enemy six miles to the north.

A secondary mission was to utilize the Intruder's unique search radar Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) features in the interdiction of trucks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Southeast Asia.

VMFA(AW)-225 was the first Marine Corps fighter squadron deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Joining 225 were other members of Marine Aircraft Group 11.VMFA (AW)-225 also deployed in support of OIF in 2007-2008 at Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq.