Aviation News
In a significant development for naval aviation, the F-35C Lightning II, the U.S. Navy’s latest carrier-borne fighter, has conducted its first combat strikes. This milestone marks the F-35C’s operational debut, showcasing its capabilities in a real-world conflict.
Continue reading “Black Knights strike first with F-35C”
“An aircraft which is deployed and based as simply as a helicopter, but which packs the punch of a conventional attack aircraft is going to have a far-reaching effect on military aviation,” Maj. Gen. Homer S. Hill of the U.S. Marine Corps told a Congressional committee in 1970. The AV-8B Harrier, a testament to this prediction, has received its final maintenance in the United States, marking the end of an era for this unique aircraft.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 533, based at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, has received its first F-35B Lightning II jet. This event marks a significant milestone as the squadron transitions from the F/A-18 Hornet to the F-35B, becoming the second operational F-35 squadron on the East Coast and the first at MCAS Beaufort.
Continue reading “VMFA-533 receives F-35B Block 4 aircraft”
Exercise UNITAS LXV, the 65th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise, took place along the Pacific coast of South America from Sept. 2nd to 12th. Hosted by Chile, the exercise challenged participating forces with unique terrain, pushing them to adapt and refine their skills in a new environment. The United States showcased its commitment to regional stability and security through a strong presence of Marine Corps and Navy assets, including F/A-18C Hornets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112), a KC-130J Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234), and a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Patrol Squadron 5.
Continue reading “U.S. and Chilean forces forge ‘Kill Web’ in Joint Exercise”
In a pivotal moment for U.S. Marine Corps aviation, the skies over Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, witnessed a new era of aerial supremacy. On September 17, 2024, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, better known as the “Thunderbolts,” received their first F-35C Lightning II jet, heralding a new chapter in the squadron’s storied history and marking a significant milestone in the Marine Corps’ ongoing modernization efforts.
