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Aviation News

Category: Marines

USMC AV-8B mission capable rate is now at 83 percent

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Despite facing retirement within this decade, the U.S. Marine Corps’ AV-8B is going strong and the mission capable rate is now at 83 percent thanks to the hard work from the folks at Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support’s (NAVSUP WSS) AV-8B Harrier Integrated Weapon Support Team (IWST).

US Navy 030224-N-6610T-519 An AV-8B Harrier jump jet assigned to the "Tigers" of Marine Attack Squadron Five Four Two (VMA-542) prepares to takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5)
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class John Taucher., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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HMLA-367 deactivated

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HMLA-367 was deactivated at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii on Apr. 22. All 27 AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters will be relocated to California and the squadron will be reactivated by end of the year at MCAS Camp Pendleton.

U.S. Marines from Marine Light Attack helicopter Squadron 367 conduct a deactivation ceremony, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 22, 2022. HMLA-367’s deactivation is in accordance with Force Design 2030 as the Marine Corps modernizes and continues to be a lethal fighting force.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Terry Stennett III)

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USS Tripoli completes lightning carrier concept demo with launch of 20 F-35Bs

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USS Tripoli (LHA 7) demonstrated the lightning carrier concept recently in the Pacific Ocean and 20 F-35Bs from VMFA-211, 225 and VMX-1 were able to take off and land on the amphibious assault ship.

The USS Tripoli (LHA-7), an American-class amphibious assault ship, returns to port at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, April 7, 2022. The Tripoli supported the launch of 20 F-35B Lightning II jets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 211 and 225, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, as well as Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ lightning carrier concept demonstration. The lightning carrier concept demonstration shows that Tripoli and other amphibious assault ships are capable of operating as dedicated fixed-wing platforms when needed, capable of bringing fifth generation short takeoff/vertical landing aircraft wherever they are required. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rachaelanne Woodward)

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