Alert 5

Aviation News

Category: Marines

The end of an era: U.S. Marine Corps marks graduation of last Harrier pilots

Posted on by alert5

The U.S. Marine Corps is nearing the end of an era as the AV-8B Harrier II transitions out of the Fleet Marine Force. Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 14’s AV-8B Harrier II Fleet Replacement Detachment (FRD) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, recently saw the graduation of the final two pilots to receive the 7509 Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) qualification, a designation reserved specifically for pilots qualified to fly the AV-8B Harrier II.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Joshua Corbett, a native of New Jersey and a student naval aviator with the AV-8B Fleet Replacement Detachment (FRD), poses for a photo prior to a flight at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, March 27, 2024. Corbett is one of the two final Marines to receive the 7509 military occupational specialty, AV-8B Harrier II jet pilot, as the Marine Corps transitions from the AV-8B II Harrier jet legacy tactical aircraft to the F-35 Lightning II jet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Daisha Ramirez)

Continue reading “The end of an era: U.S. Marine Corps marks graduation of last Harrier pilots”

Switzerland delivers first of 22 F-5 Tigers to United States

Posted on by alert5

The Swiss Federal Office for Armaments (armasuisse) has begun delivery of 22 decommissioned F-5E/F Tiger II fighter jets to the United States. The first aircraft was picked up by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) on Mar. 18 from Emmen Air Force Station aboard a Lockheed KC-130J transport aircraft.


Photo: Armasuisse
Continue reading “Switzerland delivers first of 22 F-5 Tigers to United States”

American F-35s landed in Sweden for the first time

Posted on by alert5

The deployment to Sweden as part of Exercise Nordic Response 24 marked the first overseas exercise for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 since achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on Feb. 5. The historic landing of a U.S. F-35B on Swedish soil took place on March 13, 2024.

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), refuel an F-35B Lightning II jet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, 2nd MAW, using aviation-delivered ground-refueling during Exercise Nordic Response 24 in Lulea, Sweden, March 13, 2024. VMFA-542 and VMGR-252 demonstrated aviation-delivered ground refueling during a distributed aviation operation to showcase expeditionary advanced-base operations using host-nation support. The training event marked the first U.S. F-35 landing in Sweden at Kallax Air Base. Exercise Nordic Response 24 is designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting scenarios under challenging arctic conditions while providing U.S. Marines unique opportunities to train alongside NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

Continue reading “American F-35s landed in Sweden for the first time”

First American ace since the Vietnam War?

Posted on by alert5

In the skies above the volatile Red Sea, U.S. Marine Corps Captain Earl Ehrhart V has become a silent guardian against Houthi drone threats. As an AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), attached to the elite 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), Captain Ehrhart has amassed an impressive record: seven confirmed Houthi drones intercepted since December 2023.

231226-M-VB101-1095 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Dec. 26, 2023) U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Earl Ehrhart V, an AV-8B Harrier pilot attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), receives signals during flight operations aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), Dec. 26. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)

Continue reading “First American ace since the Vietnam War?”

First USMC F-35B squadron on East Coast achieves IOC

Posted on by alert5

The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW) has announced a significant milestone with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VMFA-542) achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. This achievement marks a major step forward for the U.S. Marine Corps’ operational deployment of the F-35B on the East Coast, solidifying its role as a vital asset in expeditionary warfare.

A U.S. Marine Corps pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 taxis an F-35B Lightning II jet at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 28, 2023. VMFA-542 pilots conducted routine flight operations to maintain proficiency and achieve training objectives in support of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing missions. The F-35B Lightning II is designed to meet an advanced threat while improving lethality, survivability, and supportability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Daisha Ramirez)

Continue reading “First USMC F-35B squadron on East Coast achieves IOC”