Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 launches an F-35B Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 31, 2023. VMFA-542 received its first F-35B Lightning II jets and is the Marine Corps’ first East Coast operational F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The arrival of the aircraft marks the beginning of F-35 deliveries to MCAS Cherry Point, continuing 2nd MAW’s operational transition from legacy fixed-wing tactical aircraft to the F-35. VMFA-542 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 launches an F-35B Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 31, 2023. VMFA-542 received its first F-35B Lightning II jets and is the Marine Corps’ first East Coast operational F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The arrival of the aircraft marks the beginning of F-35 deliveries to MCAS Cherry Point, continuing 2nd MAW’s operational transition from legacy fixed-wing tactical aircraft to the F-35. VMFA-542 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.
1/22/2026 - https://news.usni.org/2026/01/16/u-s-japan-pledge-to-expand-joint-training-across-first-island-chain
1/20/2026 - https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2026-01-14/camp-lejeune-marines-okinawa-korea-20401552.html
1/14/2026 - https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2026-01-13/iii-mef-marine-corps-okinawa-expeditionary-20390710.html
1/12/2026 - https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2026/01/12/u-s-deploys-50-marines-for-joint-training-with-panamanian-forces/
1/07/2026 - https://www.redcross.org/local/north-carolina/about-us/news-and-events/news/u-s--marines-awarded-life-saving-award-on-camp-lejeune.html