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Category: Marines

Flying pause for VMFA-211 lifted

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One day after grounding the F-35B at MCAS Yuma, the U.S. Marine Corps has allowed the jets assigned to VMFA-211 to resume flight operations.

A U.S. Marine F-35 Lightning II from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 speeds down the runway during a 53rd Weapon Evaluation Group, Weapon System Evaluation Program at the Tyndall flightline Sept. 16, 2016. During this WSEP, VMFA 211 completed numerous sorties including the one that fired the first operational F-35 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Solomon Cook/Released)
A U.S. Marine F-35 Lightning II from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 speeds down the runway during a 53rd Weapon Evaluation Group, Weapon System Evaluation Program at the Tyndall flightline Sept. 16, 2016. During this WSEP, VMFA 211 completed numerous sorties including the one that fired the first operational F-35 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Solomon Cook/Released)

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Flying pause for VMFA-211 due to bugs with ALIS

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The U.S. Marine Corps decided to ground all F-35Bs assigned to VMFA-211 at MCAS Yuma after discovering issues with 2.0.2 version of Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS).

A U.S. Marine F-35 Lightning II from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 speeds down the runway during a 53rd Weapon Evaluation Group, Weapon System Evaluation Program at the Tyndall flightline Sept. 16, 2016. During this WSEP, VMFA 211 completed numerous sorties including the one that fired the first operational F-35 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Solomon Cook/Released)
A U.S. Marine F-35 Lightning II from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 speeds down the runway during a 53rd Weapon Evaluation Group, Weapon System Evaluation Program at the Tyndall flightline Sept. 16, 2016. During this WSEP, VMFA 211 completed numerous sorties including the one that fired the first operational F-35 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Solomon Cook/Released)

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VMA-311 tested the APKWS off Okinawa

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The AV-8B tested the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) for the first time in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region last week.

An AV-8B Harrier belonging to Marine Attack Squadron 311 taxis after landing aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, June 9, 2017. VMA-311 is the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s fixed-wing attack asset and is currently attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), the 31st MEU’s Aviation Combat Element. During the flight the Harrier’s pilot fired the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a laser-guided rocket, for the first time in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stormy Mendez)
An AV-8B Harrier belonging to Marine Attack Squadron 311 taxis after landing aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, June 9, 2017. VMA-311 is the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s fixed-wing attack asset and is currently attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), the 31st MEU’s Aviation Combat Element. During the flight the Harrier’s pilot fired the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a laser-guided rocket, for the first time in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stormy Mendez)

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End of an era as USMC AV-8Bs depart Japan for good

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The U.S. Marine Corps has ended its last AV-8B detachment at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan when VMA-311 took its aircraft and departed on Jun. 2.

An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 departs from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 2, 2017. VMA-311 is expected to be the last AV-8B Harrier squadron forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni as part of the unit deployment program. The squadron's departure caps the end of an era for U.S. attack aircraft in Japan and is a significant milestone for MCAS Iwakuni and Marine Corps aviation.
An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 departs from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 2, 2017. VMA-311 is expected to be the last AV-8B Harrier squadron forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni as part of the unit deployment program. The squadron’s departure caps the end of an era for U.S. attack aircraft in Japan and is a significant milestone for MCAS Iwakuni and Marine Corps aviation.