US Marine Corps’ F-35C Carrier-Variant Squadron Declared Ready for Combat Written 3 December 2020
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An F-35C and an F/A-18A of VMFA-314 in flight, June 2019. | U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Darin Russell, Wikipedia, public domain
Military.com reports that the US Marine Corps’ “first F-35C carrier-variant Joint Strike Fighter squadron has officially been declared ready for combat.” According to a USMC release, “Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, said its F-35Cs have achieved initial operational capability, or IOC, authorizing the aircraft for worldwide carrier deployment operations.” Military.com adds that 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general Maj. Gen. Christopher Mahoney said in a statement that the “F-35 is an expeditionary platform that extends the reach of our Marines and machines, and increases our ability to support joint and allied partners at a moment’s notice.”
Full Story (Military.com)