F-35B fighter jets from Yuma conduct first combat strike
F-35B Lightning II pilots from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma’s VMFA211 conducted their first combat strike on Thursday in Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, according to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet.
The squadron, known as the Wake Island Avengers, is currently deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU, and had recently entered the U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of
operations.
The U.S. 5th Fleet is responsible for the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and parts of the Indian Ocean, and is a component command of CENTCOM — which is theater-level command of
the U.S. Department of Defense.
During this mission, the F-35B’s conducted an airstrike against a fixed Taliban target in support of ground clearance operations, and the strike was deemed successful by the ground force commander.
“The F-35B is a significant enhancement in theater
amphibious and air warfighting capability, operational flexibility, and tactical supremacy,” said Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. “As part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, this platform supports operations on the ground from international waters,
all while enabling maritime superiority that enhances stability and security.”
The 13th MEU is the first combat-deployed MEU to replace the AV-8B Harrier with the F-35B Lightning II.
The VMFA-211 pilots are currently embarked on the Wasp-class amphibious assault
ship USS Essex (LHD 2), which is one of the three ships that comprise the Essex Amphibious Ready Group.
The F-35B is one of three variants of the F-35 aircraft. It is the only one of the three with the ability to land vertically like a helicopter. It can also take off in a much shorter space
than other fighter jets.
The Marine Corps variant was also the first to be designated combat ready.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 5396854. Find him on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.