Marines Archives - Page 6 of 236

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

Posted on February 9, 2024 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)

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Final class of maintainers for the USMC AV-8B Harrier II’s F-402 engine

Posted on January 31, 2024 by alert5

In a bittersweet ceremony at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, the curtain closed on an era as the final class of AV-8B Harrier II power plant mechanics graduated on Jan. 29. These five Marines, armed with 60 days of rigorous training on the Harrier’s jet engine and gas turbine starter, will now report to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14, the last remaining Harrier unit in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The final class of maintainers for the AV-8B Harrier II’s F-402 engine stand for a group photo with the course instructors and Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training leaders during a graduation ceremony of the last class of fixed-wing power plants mechanics, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Jan. 29, 2024. This class consisted of the last maintainers of the AV-8B Harrier II’s F-402 engine and marks one of the Marine Corps final steps to transitioning to the F-35 Lightning II. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker)

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USMC F-35Bs land at Nyutabaru Air Base, Japan for the first time

Posted on December 15, 2023December 14, 2023 by alert5

For the first time, U.S. Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighters touched down at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Nyutabaru Base in Shintomi Town for the first time. This marks the first-ever landing of the F-35B at Nyutabaru Base, signifying a new chapter in joint training between Japan and the United States.

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New bill would allow Medal of Honor recipients to lie in honor in the Capital Rotunda

Posted on November 23, 2023 by alert5

U.S. Congressman Jake Ellzey has recently introduced a significant bill, HR 6378, which aims to honor the bravery and sacrifice of Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. The proposed legislation, currently in the Veterans Affairs Committee, seeks to permit the remains of any Medal of Honor recipient to lie in honor in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol.

Likely the U.S. military or government, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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JGSDF AH-64s practice acting as escort for USMC MV-22B

Posted on October 27, 2023 by alert5

In a remarkable display of cooperation and interoperability, aviation units from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) joined forces during the field training exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 23, held from October 14 to October 31, 2023.