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Category: Marines

Some F-35s will stick with Block 2B software

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The F-35 program office is considering an option to keep some F-35s in the U.S. fleet with Block 2B software, instead of sending them for an expensive upgrade to newer standards, Stephen Trimble reports.

BF-3 FLT 638. External AIM-132 ASRAAM launch. Lt Col Tom Fields was the pilot on 17 May 2017.
BF-3 FLT 638. External AIM-132 ASRAAM launch. Lt Col Tom Fields was the pilot on 17 May 2017. Lockheed Martin photo by Andy “Bones” Wolfe

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AV-8Bs depart 31st MEU for good

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AV-8Bs from VMA-311 departed USS Bonhomme Richard for good on Aug. 21, bringing an end to the Harrier’s deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

An AV-8B Harrier belonging to Marine Attack Squadron 311 launches off the end of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Feb. 4, 2017. VMA-311, which departed the BHR Aug. 21 after its farewell tour as part of the 31st MEU, is slated to be the final Harrier squadron to support the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from a forward-deployed station. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form the amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 combine to provide a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Petty Officer 2nd Class Diana Quinlan and Staff Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)
An AV-8B Harrier belonging to Marine Attack Squadron 311 launches off the end of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Feb. 4, 2017. VMA-311, which departed the BHR Aug. 21 after its farewell tour as part of the 31st MEU, is slated to be the final Harrier squadron to support the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from a forward-deployed station. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form the amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 combine to provide a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Petty Officer 2nd Class Diana Quinlan and Staff Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)

KC-130Js from MCAS Iwakuni train with Black Stalkers

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U.S. Marine Corps KC-130Js from VMGR-152 and VMGR-252 trained with the U.S. Army 160th Special operations Aviation Regiment and U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Group at NAS Whidbey Island on Aug. 14.

U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, conducts division tactical navigation training as part of unit-level training Evergreen at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, Aug. 14, 2017. Division tactical navigation training allows the squadrons’ aircraft to perform gear drops in close proximity to a single location enhancing operational efficiency. Evergreen will serve as VMGR-152’s 2017 Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation through tri-lateral training with the U.S. Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Group to gain valuable insight on the most recent Operation Inherent Resolve assault support tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abrego)
U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, conducts division tactical navigation training as part of unit-level training Evergreen at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, Aug. 14, 2017. Division tactical navigation training allows the squadrons’ aircraft to perform gear drops in close proximity to a single location enhancing operational efficiency. Evergreen will serve as VMGR-152’s 2017 Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation through tri-lateral training with the U.S. Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Group to gain valuable insight on the most recent Operation Inherent Resolve assault support tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abrego)