The US Marine Corps (USMC) announced on 9 January 2018 that F-35B Lightning IIs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA 211 currently based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona will join the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13 MEU) for 6 months of work up training, prior to the aircraft’s first operational deployment in the North Pacific onboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1).
Formed in 1937, VMFA 211 are known as the ‘Wake Island Avengers’ and transitioned from AV-8B Harrier to the F-35B Lightning II in May 2016. They are currently assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Formed in 1985, the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) currently in the United States Marine Corps (USMC). It consists of a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with a strength of about 2,200 personnel and includes a Command element, reinforced Infantry Battalion, composite Aviation Squadron and a Combat Logistics Battalion. The 13th MEU is currently based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
Commissioned in 1989, USS Wasp (LHD-1) is a United States Navy multipurpose amphibious assault ship, and the lead ship of her class. She is the tenth USN vessel to bear the name since 1775, with the last two ships of the same name being aircraft carriers that earned 10 battle stars for their service during the Second World War.
You can find out more about VMFA 211 here: http://www.3rdmaw.marines.mil/Units/MAG-13/VMFA-211/
You can find out more about the 13th MEU here: http://www.13thmeu.marines.mil/
You can find out more about the USS Wasp here: http://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/lhd1/Pages/default.aspx
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