U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Zachary Hartnett, from Illinois and the commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 533, speaks with Marines at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, Oct. 11, 2024. VMFA-533 received their first F-35B Lightning II jet, marking their transition from the F/A-18 Hornet to the F-35B. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)
U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 533 receive their first F-35B Lightning II jet at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, Oct. 11, 2024. VMFA-533 received their first F-35B Lightning II jet, marking their transition from the F/A-18 Hornet to the F-35B. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Anakin Smith)
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 533, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), received its first F-35B Lightning II jet today aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina.
VMFA-533 is the Marine Corps’ second East Coast operational F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron, and the first aboard MCAS Beaufort. Prior to today, the only F-35 aircraft stationed aboard MCAS Beaufort were assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, who is tasked with conducting core introduction fighter/attack training for prospective F-35 pilots. The arrival of the aircraft marks the beginning of F-35 deliveries to MCAS Beaufort’s operational squadrons, defined as units whose...
10.11.2024 | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
Story by 2nd Lt. John Graham
