F-35B carried out first live-firing of AIM-9X in Indo-Pacific region

A F-35B from VMFA-121 has carried out the first operational live-fire of the AIM-9X missile in the Indo-Pacific region on Aug. 7.

Ordnance Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load an AIM- 9X Sidewinder missile onto an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft prior to a defensive combat air patrol rehearsal aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Pacific Ocean, August 7, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (Official U.S Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Velez)

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USMC’s first two MQ-9 sensor operators

The U.S. Marine Corps is moving one step closer towards operating its own MQ-9 fleet with the first two Marines graduating from the Basic Sensor Operator Course on Aug. 9.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Aug. 8, 2019) – The Commander of 558 Flying Training Squadron (FTS) Lt. Col. Eric Bissonette (left) and Marine Liaison to 558 FTS Major Matthew Bailey (right) stand with two graduates from the 19-14 Basic Sensor Operator Course (BSOC) graduating class after a winging ceremony aboard Randolph Air Force Base. LCpl Joshua Cuddy (center left) and LCpl Tyler Rodriguez (center right) are the first two Marines to complete 558 FTS BSOC and go on to qualify on the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The BSOC training program is a Air Force school which Marines have recently been doing a joint training with part of the 558 flight training squadron aboard Randolph Air Force Base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Pawel Puczko/Released) 190809-M-ZA072-1091

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