VMA-214 Makes Aviation Munitions History Aboard Peleliu

US Marine Corps, ABOARD THE USS PELELIU: It was not the first time that an AV-8B Harrier launched off of the flight deck of an amphibious ship but, it was the first time that Fleet Harriers did it carrying Joint Direct Attack Munitions.  
 
JDAMs are special bombs that use global positioning and satellite technology to guide the bomb toward its target, according to Maj. John Rahe, AV-8B Harrier detachment officer-in-charge, Marine Attack Squadron 214 “Black Sheep,” Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. This technology allows the bombs to hit their target regardless of weather conditions or light levels, said Rahe.  
 
In August, the Black Sheep also made history by becoming the first fleet squadron to drop the JDAMs from a Harrier after the aircraft was modified with a new avionics suite.  
 
Rahe and a small detachment of Black Sheep are attached to Marine Medium Helicopter 166 (Reinforced), MCAS Miramar San Diego, which is a part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, Calif. They have been conducting training exercises aboard the U.S.S. Peleliu along with MEU Service Support Group 11, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and the 11th MEU Command Element in preparation for their upcoming deployment this winter.  
 
According to Rahe, the Marines have been training with the new system, but this is the first time ever that JDAM