Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 has been deployed at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, for more than six months. The Marines will soon return to Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.

The squadron’s final mission in Afghanistan was to transport Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment to a small patrol base in Helmand province, who will relieve Marines of 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment,

“These Marines are extremely proficient, and helpful to us ‘ground pounders,’” said Staff Sgt. Ricky Lara, a platoon sergeant with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. “My guys have a lot to worry about once we get on the ground but in the air we know we are in the good hands of our fellow Marines.”

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 flies the MV-22B Osprey. The Osprey has the ability to takeoff vertically like a helicopter, and then tilt its rotors forward granting speed and maneuverability comparable to a traditional airplane.

The Marine Corps relies on the versatile Osprey for various missions in Afghanistan including troop and cargo transport, battlefield illumination, aerial resupply and assault insert of combat troops. Marine Corps Ospreys are deployed as part of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), the aviation combat element for the southwestern regional command of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

Marines of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 are preparing to return to friends and family in the United States, and MV-22B Osprey support in southwestern Afghanistan will now come from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365, also deployed from Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.

“The one word to describe the feeling we have is satisfied,” said Capt. Creighton Murrieta, an MV-22B Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162. “We have moved so many people and so much equipment, and we are just excited to go home and spend time with our friends and loved ones.”

Marine pilots will receive training to fly the new aircraft and eventually deploy with them aboard Navy amphibious ships.

The F-35B, one of three variants of the Joint Strike Fighter, is a tactical fixed-wing aircraft that is to be the replacement for aging jets within the Marine Corps. 2d Marine Aircraft Wing's F-35 training squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, is based at Eglin AFB and is the first Marine Corps squadron to receive F-35B aircraft.

Marine test pilot Maj. Joseph T. Bachmann delivered the first aircraft to Eglin AFB. A second F-35B is scheduled to be delivered as well. The aircraft will be used for pilot and maintainer training at the F-35 Integrated Training Center.

"The Marine Corps has to be ready to fight across the spectrum of war; a force that is most ready when the nation is least ready. The F-35B gives us the capability to do just that," said Maj. Gen. Jon M. Davis, commanding general of 2nd MAW.

The F-35B, a short takeoff and vertical landing fighter, is slated to replace the Marine Corps' F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier and EA-6B Prowler. It will provide multi-role, fifth-generation capabilities in the form of one common tactical fixed-wing aircraft, reducing maintenance costs while ensuring the Marine Corps maintains the tactical aircraft dominance required to deter potential adversaries and protect the nation's interests.

The F-35B supports the Marine Corps' tactical and operational needs for close air support in austere conditions and locations that may be inaccessible to traditional fighters. Thanks to its short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, the F-35B can operate from expeditionary airfields in remote, non-permissive environments with shorter runways, contributing to the Marine Corps' role as the nation's expeditionary force-in-readiness.

"The STOVL capability of the F-35B will enable us to deploy with the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and ensure these fifth-generation capabilities are available when needed," said Lt. Col. James B. Wellons, commanding officer of VMFAT-501. "Our mission is to conduct F-35B operations in coordination with our joint and coalition partners at Eglin Air Force Base in order to attain our annual pilot training requirement."

The F-35B surpassed 250 vertical landings this year, including 72 vertical landings and short takeoffs on the USS Wasp in October.

Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk landed BF-2 at 3:12 pm. “It was exactly like we predicted,” said Schenk. “But that’s because of all the hard work and extensive preparation done by the Wasp and JSF team.”

The first vertical landing is part of the initial ship trials for the F-35B which started Monday and is expected to last two-weeks. The tests are scheduled to collect data on the aircraft’s ability to perform short take-offs and vertical landings on a ship at sea, as well as determine how the aircraft integrates with the ship’s landing systems, and deck and hangar operations.

This test period, the first of three scheduled at-sea test periods over the course of the development program, will also collect environmental data on the deck through added instrumentation to measure the F-35B’s impact to flight deck operations.

“The first at sea vertical landing is a huge milestone,” said Marine Corps Col. Roger Cordell, military site director for F-35 test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. “We’re still early in this test period, and we expect to learn a lot more, but this is a great step toward delivering the capability to the fleet.”

Wasp spent time in a shipyard earlier this year, preparing for the F-35 test period; adding specialized instrumentation to measure deck environmental effects.

“It is no small feat to put together sea trials,” said Vice Admiral David Venlet, F-35 Program Executive Officer. “This test was planned to happen on 3 October back in early spring of this year and the team delivered on schedule. Signs of dependable performance are emerging across broad aspects of the development program. Professionals from the Navy, Marine Corps and industry team of Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems and Pratt and Whitney and Rolls Royce continue to work tirelessly to deliver this aircraft to the fleet.”

“Every time an aircraft is first tested at sea we learn a great deal and the data collected from this event will inform us about the further development work necessary to successfully integrate the F-35B on large-deck amphibious ships. By all accounts, we’re off to a great start today,” Venlet said.

The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter for the U.S. Marine Corps, capable of short take-offs and vertical landings for use on amphibious ships or expeditionary airfields to provide air power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The F-35B will replace Marine AV-8B Harriers and F-18 Hornets and is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.

In addition to being the first ship to successfully land the F-35B, USS Wasp was also the first ship to host the V-22 Osprey during shipboard trials in October 2007.

Summary information regarding the performance of the F-35B ship trials will be made available after the completion of the test period.

Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 formed a new detachment located here to help 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support in southwestern Afghanistan.

The new detachment became fully operational when it launched its first unmanned aerial vehicle from Camp Leatherneck, an RQ-7B Shadow in support of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, June 30.

Video: Click here to watch VMU-3 Marines test the RQ-7B Shadow UAV at Camp Leatherneck.

The unmanned aerial vehicle squadron began planning for a detachment at Camp Leatherneck prior to its deployment from Twentynine Palms, Calif., explained Maj. Matt L. Walker, the officer in charge of VMU-3 Marines at Camp Leatherneck.

Deployed Marine unmanned aerial vehicle squadrons have traditionally maintained multiple operating points for UAVs, including Camp Dwyer, Combat Outpost Payne, and Forward Operating Bases Edinburgh and Delaram II.

“The squadron took a look at where our UAVs were going to be positioned, and the area we were capable of flying missions over before we deployed to Afghanistan, and saw that we had some uncovered areas,” said Walker.“We thought about how we could better position ourselves to support ground troops. When the advance party of VMU-3 Marines deployed to Afghanistan the idea of having a second detachment located at Leatherneck was presented to 2nd MAW (Fwd.)”

The proposal to 2nd MAW (Fwd.) was approved, and within a month the squadron was set up and fully operational on Camp Leatherneck, Walker said.

“A portion of the decision to set up a detachment at Camp Leatherneck was preparation for the summer fighting season,” he said. “We can better support dismounted patrols and we can help protect the troops on the ground.

“We will do everything we can to give those Marines on the ground the coverage and eye in the sky they need,” Walker added.

Marine Corps UAV squadrons use small, lightweight vehicles that are able to stay in the air for several hours to supply Marines and their coalition partners with aerial information throughout combat missions.

“We are in the best position to support Marines on the deck across Regional Command Southwest, which is what this is all about,” said Walker. “This move just gives us greater flexibility with the area we can fly over.”

“I think this move was a great idea,” said Cpl. Ryan P. Pavin, an unmanned aerial vehicle operator with VMU-3, and a native of Chicago. “I knew at first it would be a lot of work to get set up but I think we can do a lot to help the Marines on the ground and get the information they need.”

In preparation for the UAV squadron’s move, engineers and heavy equipment operators with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 leveled and flattened the ground for the new VMU-3 runway, and MWSS-272 expeditionary airfield Marines followed behind, laying down aluminum matting used as the UAV landing strip.

“It took the engineers approximately 10 days to do the ground work,” said Staff Sgt. Cory D. Sikes the expeditionary airfields chief for MWSS-272, and a native of Holdrege, Neb. “It took us seven days to lay the matting, and we completed it all well under our estimated completion date.”

MWSS-272, deployed out of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., supports 2nd MAW (Fwd.) through ground refueling, aircraft recovery, firefighting, expeditionary airfield services and more.

“MWSS-272 had a huge part in helping us get set up here in the new location,” said Walker. “Without them none of this would have happened.”

Not only did MWSS-272 prepare the VMU-3 runway and operations area, the support squadron also convoyed to Camp Dwyer to pick up the new detachment’s equipment and transport it to Camp Leatherneck.

“The convoy was completed on a very short timeline,” said Gunnery Sgt. Donald Rogers, the MWSS-272 operations chief, and native of Mauston, Wis. “We loaded all of their gear they would need for operations and delivered it to the new compound on Camp Leatherneck.”

“Within three days, we had UAVs in the air, doing test flights and our working areas constructed,” said Walker. “The speed the MWSS had in completing its mission made our mission easier.”

For the UAVs themselves, the squadron convoyed some of the aircraft, and flew others from Camp Dwyer to their new home at Camp Leatherneck.

“VMU-3 has proven that the Shadow is expeditionary,” said Walker. “We’ve proven that we can move about the battlespace if we need to, quickly and efficiently.”

The U.S. military has relied on the C-130 Hercules platform for a variety of tasks including air-to-air refueling, and cargo and troop transportation for more than 50 years. But the Marine Corps, in partnership with Lockheed-Martin, has recently created a unique variant of its KC-130J by outfitting an existing plane with what has been dubbed the Harvest Hawk weapons system.

“It’s a brand new capability for the Marine Corps and it’s proving itself very well,” said Capt. Joel D. Dunivant, a KC-130J aircraft commander with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., who is currently deployed to Afghanistan. “I’ve been a KC-130 pilot my whole time in the Marine Corps, but this is a new capability for us to support the Marines on the ground.”

The Harvest Hawk system includes a version of the target sight sensor used on the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter as well as a complement of four AGM-114 Hellfire and 10 Griffin missiles, a modular, precision-guided missile system typically employed on unmanned aerial vehicles. The system expands the role of the KC-130J for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) beyond its traditional level of support to include close air support against enemy positions and providing surveillance to disrupt improvised explosive device emplacements.

“Harvest Hawk, for me, is an opportunity to help the guys on the ground,” said Capt. Bradley C. Stadelmeier, with VMGR-352, a co-pilot for the Harvest Hawk equipped KC-130J.

Even with its expanded capabilities, Harvest Hawk crewmembers said the aircraft retains its original capabilities in refueling and transportation. Crewmembers said the Harvest Hawk KC-130J has been used to refuel other coalition aircraft in Afghanistan, and that the entire system can be removed in less than a day if necessary.

The Harvest Hawk first saw service in the Afghan skies in late 2010. Nearly six months since its inception, the aircraft has spent hundreds of hours in the air supporting coalition troops.

“I was highly skeptical of this program until I was on the ground side,” said Capt. Christopher Klempay, the air officer for 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. “Now, my opinion is that this is one of the best missions the Hercules can provide the ground force commander.”

Supporting Marine Corps ground forces and coalition partners is one of the primary missions for the Harvest Hawk equipped KC-130J, and both aircrew and Marines on the ground said its ability to stay in the air for long periods of time, providing both surveillance and close-air support is a primary reason for its success.

“It’s great to be a part of something that helps Marines get home safely at night,” said Cpl. Jessica M. Egan, a crew chief with VMGR-352, who serves with the Harvest Hawk detachment.

Additionally, the aircraft’s laser-guided weapons allow for pinpoint accuracy, helping to ensure insurgents are neutralized with minimal impact on the Afghan people and their property.

“The Harvest Hawk is the close air support platform of choice for counter insurgency in Marjah, where collateral damage is a major concern,” said Klempay. “The fire control officers, who sit in the back of the Hercules, are the best in town because they have the ability to devote 100 percent of their attention looking for the enemy on their video imagery and talking to the forward air controllers.”

In addition to its standard complement of officer and enlisted crew, the Harvest Hawk equipped KC-130J is manned by two fire control officers to monitor and control the weapons and surveillance systems. These Marines, either AV-8B Harrier pilots or F/A-18 Hornet weapon systems officers, bring their expertise in close air support and serve as a vital link between the Marines on the ground and the aircraft supporting them.

“The tools are a little different, but the job is similar,” said Maj. Marc E. Blankenbicker with VMGR-352, the lead fire control officer for the Harvest Hawk detachment, whose primary duty in the Marine Corps is as an F/A-18 weapon systems officer. “It’s very rewarding to take a skill set from one aircraft and translate it to another aircraft.”

Both Marines in the air and Marines on the ground have cited a recent mission as a hallmark of the Harvest Hawk equipped KC-130J’s effectiveness. On March 14, the aircraft stayed airborne approximately 10 hours, expending its entire complement of Hellfire missiles providing close air support for multiple Marine Corps units operating across Regional Command Southwest.

“That Harvest Hawk was on a general scan for IED emplacers. They found four individuals digging in the road, saw them drop something heavy into a hole in the road, and the battalion determined these individuals to be hostile,” said Klempay of one of the requests the Harvest Hawk KC-130J supported that day. “The Harvest Hawk launched a Hellfire, neutralizing the enemy threat.”

Blankenbicker explained the KC-130J supported two other Marine battalions operating the same day, eliminating a number of enemy fighters.

“The Harvest Hawk is a great platform. I can talk directly to the pilot and we can improve each other's situational awareness on the spot,” said 1st Lt. Charles Broun, a platoon commander with Kilo Company, 3rd Bn., 5th Marine Regiment. “Throw in the precision ordnance it carries and it is an outstanding combat multiplier.”

“Being in the aviation community, as an aircrew, gives you a unique perspective as what the infantry battalions do every day,” said Blankenbicker. “You see where they live; you see the villages where they work. We see firsthand the efforts of the units that we’re here to support.

“Whenever you are enabling a Marine battalion to better do their job,” added Blankenbicker. “That’s a good feeling.”

Now members of the Fires and Maneuvers Integration Division at Headquarters Marine Corps Combat Development and Integration Command aboard Quantico are working feverishly to make the commandant’s goal a reality.

Three different vehicle programs will replace the responsibilities the EFV would have held, said Kevin McConnell, the deputy director of Fires and Maneuvers Integration Division. The Assault Amphibian Vehicle Service Life Extension Program, the Marine Personnel Carrier and the Amphibious Combat Vehicle are being developed to be a less costly replacement for the EFV.

While the EFV would of cost an estimated $16.8 million a unit, the ACV is estimated to cost $10-12 million, the MPC $4.5 million and the AAV is still under evaluation.

Separate plans from the EFV have been in place for both the AAV SLEP and MPC since 2005, McConnell said.

“Until the ACV is fielded, the AAV will continue to provide the fully amphibious, self-deploying, armored combat vehicle capability required for the [Marine Air Ground Task Force] in support of amphibious operations and sustained operations ashore,” said Kurt Koch, the combat vehicle capabilities integration officer for Fires and Maneuvers Integration Division.

Upgrades will begin to be implemented on the AAV SLEP in 2012 and not finished until around 2021.

“At a minimum the AAV will receive upgrades to increase its survivability and force protection capacity,” Koch said. “Probable related improvements to the vehicle include integration of a modern power-train and higher capacity suspension components to maintain required performance levels, as well as improve reliability.”

The MPC will be a compliment to both the AAV and in the future ACV, as a wheeled armored personnel carrier, said McConnell.

“The MPC will reside in the Assault Amphibian Battalion,” Koch said. “It possesses the capability of negotiating water obstacles in support of the task force maneuver and provide a high degree of all around protection in a highly mobile, balanced medium armored personnel carrier platform.”

The MPC can conduct operations ashore in both open and restrictive terrain during operations in permissive, uncertain and hostile environments, Koch said.

“We already have a demonstration vehicle,” McConnell said. “We plan to start making our final version of it in 2013, and see them operational in 2018.”

But the future of amphibious assault resides with the ACV.

“You heard the commandant say he will drive a vehicle before his term is done,” McConnel said. “Our challenge is how do we resolve that. We have a solid plan in place. We will have a technical demonstration vehicle completed by the end of FY12 that will give us an idea of the real of possibilities for this project. Then we will work to have a fully operational demonstration vehicle done by the end of 2013 or 2014.”

As a replacement for the AAV, the ACV will be operationally mobile in the water, capable of ship-to-objective maneuver from over the horizon, Koch said. The ACV must be highly mobile on land also in order to support the Ground Combat Element based maneuver task force. It must be lethal in the assault and capable of carrying the reinforced rifle squad through the surf, over natural and manmade obstacles and into the attack. The ACV must be sufficiently protected in order to be effective across the full range of operations.

“Of course these are the plans and nothing is written in stone,” McConnell said. “These plans haven’t even been approved yet. They just help us get in the right mind set of where we need to be.

“After our technical demonstration vehicle is completed, we will allow for a competition between contractors,” McConnell said. “We will give them three or four years to build their own model and then we will choose one or two contractors to carry on the program to its completion, around 2020.”

Changing the direction of the Marine Corps’ amphibious assault is not an easy task and requires patience to ensure it’s done right, McConnell said.

“All of these programs are on relatively aggressive schedules,” McConnell said. “It takes a lot of coordination between the Marine Corps, Secretary of Defense and other stake holders to make this happen quickly and successfully. We all want to make this happen and we here to see this project through.”

The ISS increases Mine Resistant Ambushed Protected vehicles reliability and improves rough-terrain navigation.

With continued operations in Afghanistan came the need for a better suspension system for the MRAP. Road transportation is difficult in Afghanistan, as most paths or modest highways are no more than unpaved roads and dirt trails. The addition of the ISS brings more transportation capabilities and increased comfort.

“It handles better, feels better and is easier to control,” said Master Sgt. Paul Jones, motor transportation chief with I MHG. “It’s better because it can sustain more weight and is capable of taking IED (improvised explosive device) hits and still perform.”

The upgraded suspension provides a better platform for the MRAP. It absorbs the rough terrain better than the straight-axle suspension currently in the other six MRAPs here.

Another added feature of the ISS is the remote inflation and deflation system. A driver can lower or increase tire pressure depending on the surface of terrain they are driving on, increasing maneuverability.

“The maneuverability and handling it gives the operator establishes more confidence in the vehicle,” Jones said. “It doesn’t feel like it will tip over on rough roads.”

With these added features comes added training to the schedule. Just like any other vehicle in their fleet, motor transportation operators must receive a certain amount of behind-the-wheel training to be qualified to drive it.

Fortunately, they only need 50 refresher miles to be completely up to date with the new suspension, said Cpl. Joshua Jones, licensing noncommissioned officer at MHG motor transportation.

The new addition to motor transportation’s fleet is significant for the unit. They are now capable of training the Marines here with the tools used forward so there is no training delay once in theater.

“The MRAP is an awesome vehicle,” said Cpl. Jones. “I feel you are most protected in it. The only down fall was the rough ride.”

"I've got a good group of guys," said Sgt. Jason McIlwain, section chief with F Battery who was part of the team that fired the first round. The four-man team also included Cpl. Donald Schaeffer, recorder with Gun 2, Cpl. Kent Smith, gunner with Gun 2, and Lance Cpl. Gavin King, the number 1 man.

The first rounds fired from EFSS in support of combat operations was a M1105 illumination projectile, used to light an area occupied by snipers attached to Company I, BLT 3/8. Illumination denies any enemy concealment in darkness and deters nighttime emplacement of improvised explosive devices.

"We stood this battery up in March of 2009," said Gunnery Sgt. Jeremey Black, battery gunnery sergeant. Black explained that his Marines have refined their skills in the time since. "Once they get the mission on the gunline, they can fire six rounds a minute; one about every 10 or 15 seconds."

EFSS is the third leg in a triad of land-based fire support for expeditionary operations that also includes the lightweight 155mm Howitzer and high mobility artillery rocket system. The highly-mobile EFSS can be towed by ground vehicles or transported by MV-22 Osprey Tiltrotor Aircraft and CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopters, allowing expeditionary Marines with a Marine Air Ground Task Force to quickly establish supporting fires in a variety of situations.

BLT 3/8 deployed to Helmand province to establish and maintain security in support of the International Security Assistance Force. The security the Marines provide will neutralize insurgent networks and support development projects, allowing the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to foster socio-economic development in the area.

"It felt good," said McIlwain. "I'm excited to be part of history, being the first to shoot the EFSS system in combat is a good feeling."

Marines with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), began preparing for upcoming missions by sighting-in the main cannon and machine guns on their M1A1 Abrams tanks during a firing range exercise at Camp Leatherneck, Jan. 13.

The tanks, which were flown here from Kuwait, are not the vehicles the Marines have trained with and some preparation must be done before they are ready for combat, said Capt. Daniel Hughes, commanding officer of Delta Co., 1st Tanks.

“The first order of business is to bore sight and screen your tank,” Hughes added. “Screening ensures that when you fire the main cannon on your tank, you hit the exact target you want to hit.”

Even though these Marines have only been in Afghanistan about a week, everything seems to be going well. While the Marines bore sight several times a year, the combat environment makes every adjustment of the main gun just that much more important.

“They require a tremendous amount of maintenance,” Hughes said. “If you go on a four or five-hour patrol to support the men on the ground, you will have four or five hours of maintenance when you get back just to keep the tanks in the fight.”

Once the preparation is complete and maintenance done, the tankers say they will be ready for their upcoming missions.

“We hope to support the infantryman on the ground and help them complete their mission,” said Hughes, a 38-year-old native of Olympia, Wash. “We also hope to intimidate the enemy and provide superior and accurate firepower to kill the enemy, and only the enemy.”

The tanks have another advantage in this fight besides intimidation and firepower. Hughes said the tracks and armor allow an M1A1 Abrams tank to withstand an improvised explosive device better than any other vehicle in Afghanistan.

While tanks have never been in Afghanistan, neither have most of the Marines with Delta Co.

“It’s definitely humbling to be the first tankers in Afghanistan,” said Cpl. Todd Cross, a tank crewman with Delta Co., 1st Tanks. “We want to make a good name for ourselves and we want to leave a good name for the tanks who come after us as well.”

“I am looking forward to the challenges and am definitely excited about what we are going to do,” said Cross, a 23-year-old Elkridge, Md.

After the rounds were fired, the tanks’ sights were properly aligned and ready for battle. The Marines will continue firing rounds on ranges to sharpen their skills until they leave for their first-ever mission in Helmand province.

The BF-2, a test version of the fighter jet, accomplished its first vertical landing and conversion back to normal flight. This is an important step for the fighter that the Corps has scheduled to replace three other types of combat aircraft in its aging fleet: the EA-6B Prowler, AV-8B Harrier and F-18 Hornet.

The commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos has communicated that the Corps will track the progress of the new aircraft to ensure engineering and test points are accomplished over the next two years.

Despite some recent concerns over performance, cost and schedule, the Marine Corps contends that it is dedicated to the success of this program – and being able to operate and land virtually anywhere in the world while supporting the continuous tactical air missions the Corps demands.

The STOVL JSF will carry more ordnance with greater range than the F/A-18 Hornet, operate from austere expeditionary environments like the AV-8B Harrier, and ultimately possess electronic warfare technology similar to the EA-6B Prowler.

The Marine Corps anticipates reaching initial operational capability for the JSF F-35B in 2012-2013. This first proven capability step will include the a training squadron of 15 aircraft in VMFAT-501 at Eglin AFB, an operational test and evaluation detachment of 4 aircraft at Edwards AFB, and VMFA-332, the Corps’ first operational squadron of 10 aircraft, at MCAS Yuma.

The VMFA-332 aircraft will be equipped, manned and trained to execute Marine missions and deploy ashore or afloat from U.S. Navy amphibious assault (L-Class) ships.