(a).
Families and friends at Beaufort watch the squadron flyover upon their arrival.
5 ft

(b).
F-4s landing and taxiing at Beaufort.
6 ft

(c).
Families and friends watch as the aircraft taxi.
12 ft

(d).
Insignia (North Vietnamese Flag) indicating MIG kills.
3 ft

(e).
Crews climb out of their aircraft and are officially welcomed home by Lt. Gen. Axtell, Commanding General, Fleet Marine Air Force Atlantic, and others.
12 ft

(f).
Crews are welcomed by their families.
51 ft



Initials


NOTE TO EDITORS: This story was filmed March 21 at Beaufort, South Carolina.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Please credit Department of Defense in title or commentary.
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Background: U.S. Marine Corps Fighter/Attack Squadron 333 (VMFA-333) returned to the Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort, South Carolina, March 21, 1973, after flying combat missions during the past nine months in Southeast Asia. With the departure of VMFA-333 from the war zone, there are no carrier-based Marine Corps squadrons currently assigned.

The squadron of approximately 320 men with their F-4J Phantom jet aircraft left the United States June 5, 1972, aboard the aircraft carrier USS America.

During their tour in Southeast Asia, the squadron took part in strikes against lines of communication in North Vietnam and flew numerous missions providing close air support to ground troops in the South.

While operating from off the coast of Vietnam, the squadron was the first to have an all-Marine aircrew shoot down a North Vietnamese MIG aircraft. Major Lee T. Lasseter, the squadron's Commanding Officer, and Captain John Cummings, a radar in???rceptor officer, were credited with the kill.