US Marine Corps (USMC)
NASA readies ex-USMC F/A-18D for chase mission ahead of X-59 testing
A former USMC-operated F/A-18D Hornet that was acquired by NASA from the US Navy in 2021 has been rolled out at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center – a part of Edwards AFB in California – after being rejuvenated and repainted ahead of its planned use in supporting the testing of the administration’s X-59 QueSST technology demonstrator
‘Tomcats’ return as USMC’s second F-35C Lightning II squadron
The USMC activated its second Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 (VMFA-311) ‘Tomcats’ (code ‘WL-XX’), on April 14
US Navy completes second sea trial with CH-53K King Stallion
The US Navy revealed on April 5 that the USMC’s new heavy-lift transport helicopter, the CH-53K King Stallion, had successfully completed another sea trial while operating aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, USS Arlington (LPD-24), in the Atlantic Ocean in February
Flying with the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallions of the USMC HMH-772 'Hustlers'
Combat Aircraft Journal were invited to fly with the ‘Hustlers’ and report on the important task this Marine Corps Reserve unit has within the USMC
US Navy and USMC F-35B/C Squadrons: A Complete Guide
The US Marine Corps and US Navy are sister services that had different degrees of urgency for introducing the Lockheed Martin F-35B/C Lightning II. Gérard Keijsper provides an overview of the situation
First KC-130Js arrive in Hawaii as USMC activates VMGR-153
The USMC activated a new Lockheed Martin KC-130J Hercules tanker-transport unit when Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153 (VMGR-153) ‘Hercules’ was stood up at MCAS Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii on January 13
CH-53K King Stallion enters full-rate production
Following a decision made by Frederick J Stefany, the Assistant Secretary of the US Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift transport helicopter formally entered full-rate production (FRP) at the end of 2022
USMC bids farewell to HMLA-469 as HMLA-367 returns
The USMC deactivated Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 (HMLA-469) ‘Vengeance’ – a component of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing – and reactivated its replacement unit, HMLA-367 ‘Scarface’, during a ceremony at MCAS Camp Pendleton in California on December 16
‘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
Just a Nice Pic Competition - Top 10!
Combat Aircraft Journal presents ten outstanding images from its first ‘just a nice pic’ competition.