Marines Archives - Page 3 of 236

JASDF C-2 delivers AN/TPS-80 radar to Camp Yonaguni for Resolute Dragon 24

Posted on August 6, 2024August 5, 2024 by alert5

The U.S. 12th Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) has deployed an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system to Camp Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan. The radar, transported by a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) C-2 transport aircraft, marks the first time the system has been deployed to the strategic island.

A U.S. Marine Corps AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar is deployed during exercise Resolute Dragon 24 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 2, 2024. The radar was deployed to support training with enhanced sensing and targeting data between 12th MLR and the JSDF during RD 24. This effort aims to enhance operational readiness in the region, underscoring the U.S. Marine Corps’ commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific through realistic training with innovative and proven technology. RD 24 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales)

VMFT-402 begins standup at MCAS Beaufort

Posted on July 30, 2024July 30, 2024 by alert5

The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) has taken a significant step in enhancing its training capabilities with the arrival of the first F-5N Tiger II aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina back in May. These aircraft will form the foundation of Marine Fighter Training Squadron (VMFT) 402, the service’s second adversary squadron.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-5N Tiger II with Marine Fighter Training Squadron (VMFT) 402, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, arrives at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, May 30, 2024. VMFT-402 will be the Marine Corps’ second adversary squadron and will officially be redesignated in Sept. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kyle Baskin)

VMFA-311 nears IOC milestone with F-35C

Posted on July 29, 2024 by alert5

U.S. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 (VMFA-311) is on the cusp of declaring Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the F-35C Lightning II, marking a significant milestone for the squadron and the U.S. Marine Corps.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Cassandra Touchstone, left, an F-35C Lightning II pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts pre-flight checks on an F-35C Lightning II aircraft before a basic fighter maneuver training flight at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, July 12, 2024. During the flight, Maj. Timothy Potter, an F-35C Lightning II pilot with VMFA-311 and a graduate of the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, commonly known as TOPGUN, instructed Touchstone to increase her proficiency in fighter maneuvers, or dogfighting. Touchstone is pursuing the air combat maneuvering qualification which enables pilots to conduct air-to-air combat training without an instructor present. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine)

AV-8B BuNo 164560 flying final flight today to HAM

Posted on July 15, 2024July 15, 2024 by alert5

The Hickory Aviation Museum (HAM) is thrilled to announce the upcoming arrival of a retired McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II Plus aircraft (BuNo 164560) to its collection.

U.S. Marines Cpl. Asiel A. Perez, left, and Cpl. Blake R. Phillips, power line mechanics with Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231), maintain an AV-8B Harrier II, Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, March 5, 2013. These Marines maintain aircraft as part of their daily inspections. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Gabriela Garcia/Released)

Continue reading “AV-8B BuNo 164560 flying final flight today to HAM”

U.S. Marines and RAAF achieve F-35 pilot interchangeability

Posted on July 9, 2024July 9, 2024 by alert5

In June 2024, during a joint training exercise at RAAF Base Tindal, Australia, two United States Marine Corps (USMC) F-35B pilots from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214 successfully flew Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A aircraft. This accomplishment signifies a significant step towards interchangeable operations between the two forces.

From left, Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Stuart Atkin, an F-35A Lightning II pilot with the RAAF No. 75 Squadron; RAAF Squadron Leader Brett Gordon, an F-35A Lightning II pilot with the RAAF No. 75 Squadron; U.S. Marine Corps Maj. John Rose, an F-35B Lightning II pilot and executive officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing; and RAAF Flight Lieutenant Nicholas Ebzery, an F-35A Lightning II pilot with the RAAF No. 75 Squadron, pose for a picture after a flight at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, Australia, June 13, 2024. Leaders with VMFA-214, a USMC F-35B squadron, flew the RAAF F-35A during bilateral training, exhibiting interchangeability between RAAF and U.S. Marine aviation. VMFA-214 deployed more than 200 Marines and eight F-35B Lightning II aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, to RAAF Base Tindal, Australia, to conduct bilateral training with the RAAF No. 3 Squadron and No. 75 Squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicholas Johnson)

Continue reading “U.S. Marines and RAAF achieve F-35 pilot interchangeability”