US Marine Corps’ F-35B May Soon Make Combat Debut Written 26 September 2018

CNN reports that the US Marine Corps’ F-35B Lightning may fly its “first combat mission within days, according to several US defense officials, who told CNN that the fifth-generation aircraft are currently aboard the USS Essex amphibious assault ship and should soon be in a position to conduct airstrikes over Afghanistan.” The Essex has already sailed from the “Gulf of Aden into the North Arabian Sea and is expected to move into the Persian Gulf in coming days.” F-35s have been conducting “intelligence and surveillance missions in Somalia” while on “standby to conduct air support for US troops on the ground there if needed.” 
More Info (CNN)