VMFA-314 was called upon to deploy U.S. Marines and aircraft on board USS '' John C. Stennis '' in support of Operation Noble Eagle . The September 11 attacks of 2001 caused the planned deployment on board '' John C. Stennis '' to be accelerated by two months . Following a shortened at-sea period for FleetEx , VMFA-314 deployed on November 12 , 2001 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom . The squadron began flying combat sorties on December 18 , 2001 and delivered over 69,000 pounds of ordnance in support of U.S. forces on the ground in Afghanistan . Midway into a six-month deployment , VMFA-314 was extended in theater an extra five weeks resulting in a monumental 265 deployed days over a year ’s period including a 98-day straight at-sea period
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
VMFA-314