MCAS Cherry Point
USMC’s first East Coast F-35B unit declared operational
The USMC formally declared its first East Coast-based F-35B Lightning II squadron operational when Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VMFA-542) ‘Tigers’ – a component of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) – achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) at MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina on February 5
USMC’s legacy Hornet-equipped ‘Silver Eagles’ stand down
The USMC moved another step closer to phasing out its legacy Hornet fleet on November 9, when Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 (VMFA-115) was deactivated at MCAS Beaufort in South Carolina
Final USMC TAV-8B to complete overhaul returns to VMA-223
Another major milestone in the drawing down of the USMC’s McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II programme has been passed by the US Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) after it recently completed the final overhaul of the last dual-seat TAV-8B fighter-trainer at MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina
‘Flying Tigers’ set up to become USMC’s first East Coast F-35B unit
MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina will soon be added to the ever-growing list of operational F-35B Lightning II locations after Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA-542) ‘Flying Tigers’ formally started the transition process from the AV-8B Harrier II to the fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter