The squadron was reactivated in November 1947, flying the FH Phantom, becoming the first Marine squadron to employ jet-propelled aircraft.
 During this time, the squadron also fielded the first and only Marine aerial demonstration team known as the "Flying Leathernecks".
They toured the country for two years before being disbanded with the transition to the F2H Banshee.
In April 1951, the squadron became the first Marine jet squadron to be both day and night qualified for carrier operations.
On 15 May 1951, the squadron deployed from Naval Air Station Quonset Point aboard the USS Oriskany to the Mediterranean Sea, returning to the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point in early October 1951.
In 1952, they again transitioned to the F9F Panther and after a Mediterranean cruise in 1953, they were assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 24 at MCAS Cherry Point.

January 1954 again saw the squadron transitioning aircraft, this time to the FJ Fury.
 The next few years saw a litany of small deployments on board a multitude of aircraft carriers.
 The squadron relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in September 1957 and in December of that year they became the first squadron in the Marine Corps to fly the F-8 Crusader.
 It was at this time that they transitioned from being the "Candystripers" to the new nickname of "Crusaders."
 The squadron became VMF(AW)-122 upon receiving all weather capable F-8Es in 1962.
 That year they also deployed to Key West, Florida to fly combat air patrol during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The squadron was reactivated in November 1947, flying the FH Phantom, becoming the first Marine squadron to employ jet-propelled aircraft.  During this time, the squadron also fielded the first and only Marine aerial demonstration team known as the "Flying Leathernecks". They toured the country for two years before being disbanded with the transition to the F2H Banshee. In April 1951, the squadron became the first Marine jet squadron to be both day and night qualified for carrier operations. On 15 May 1951, the squadron deployed from Naval Air Station Quonset Point aboard the USS Oriskany to the Mediterranean Sea, returning to the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point in early October 1951. In 1952, they again transitioned to the F9F Panther and after a Mediterranean cruise in 1953, they were assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 24 at MCAS Cherry Point.
January 1954 again saw the squadron transitioning aircraft, this time to the FJ Fury.  The next few years saw a litany of small deployments on board a multitude of aircraft carriers.  The squadron relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in September 1957 and in December of that year they became the first squadron in the Marine Corps to fly the F-8 Crusader.  It was at this time that they transitioned from being the "Candystripers" to the new nickname of "Crusaders."  The squadron became VMF(AW)-122 upon receiving all weather capable F-8Es in 1962.  That year they also deployed to Key West, Florida to fly combat air patrol during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
VMFA-122