The majority of VMFT-401's annual workload is their work-up and participation in the semiannual Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course conducted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona.

[1] In June 1987 the squadron received a number of Israeli F-21A Kfirs and during that year logged more than 4,000 hours of flight time during 16 major exercises.

The squadron was recognized by the Commandant of the Marine Corps for flying more than 50,000 mishap-free flight hours.

They broke the 50,000 hour mark in early July 2010 having not had a mishap since October 1995.

At an average of 45 minutes per flight, 50,000 hours equates to nearly 70,000 mishap free sorties.