The Marines have reactivated a fighter squadron with a lineage that traces back to Guadalcanal as the first East Coast squadron to fly the Corps’ newest fighter jet.
Marine Attack Fighter Squadron 251, or VMFA-251, received its first F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter in mid-September before the unit officially reactivated in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on Dec. 5, according to the service.
“Our immediate focus is working towards initial operational capability, which means that VMFA-251 has enough operational F-35C Lightning II aircraft, trained pilots, maintainers, and support equipment to self-sustain its mission essential tasks,” Lt. Col. Evan Shockley, squadron commander, said in a release.
Marines reactivate East Coast squadron with Corps’ newest fighter jet
- by:
- 2024-12-12
- Source:
Military Times
- 12/12/2024
F-35A Lightning II fighter jet by Senior Airman Ashleigh Pavelek is licensed under Digital S.C. Air National Guard
