US Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 load a Guided Bomb Unit 49 onto an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter in the Western Pacific Ocean on September 12th, 2021. The GBU-49 is a laser and GPS-guided bomb effective across various conditions and against many types of moving or stationary target. VMFA-211, deployed aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group 21, became the first fleet squadron to employ the GBU-49 in a training exercise. - US Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 load a Guided Bomb Unit 49 onto an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter in the Western Pacific Ocean on September 12th, 2021. The GBU-49 is a laser and GPS-guided bomb effective across various conditions and against many types of moving or stationary target. VMFA-211, deployed aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group 21, became the first fleet squadron to employ the GBU-49 in a training exercise.

“More than seven decades have passed since 10 July 1941 when [2nd Marine Aircraft Wing] was activated in San Diego, [California]. Wars in the Pacific, in the Middle East and operations around the world have added to your battle colors, but have not dulled your spirit … As we continue to confront those who would do us harm, take pride in knowing you continue to add to the storied history of our Corps, and pause to remember those who have sacrificed so much in the defense of our nation.” - “More than seven decades have passed since 10 July 1941 when [2nd Marine Aircraft Wing] was activated in San Diego, [California]. Wars in the Pacific, in the Middle East and operations around the world have added to your battle colors, but have not dulled your spirit … As we continue to confront those who would do us harm, take pride in knowing you continue to add to the storied history of our Corps, and pause to remember those who have sacrificed so much in the defense of our nation.”

A sailor aboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1) signals to the pilot of an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to land as it arrives for the first phase of operational testing, May 18, 2015. The short take-off, vertical landing capabilities of the F-35B are crucial to the mission of the Marine Corps and necessary for operation aboard a Navy amphibious ship. The aircraft are stationed with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Beaufort, South Carolina and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Yuma, Arizona. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Remington Hall/Released) - A sailor aboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1) signals to the pilot of an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to land as it arrives for the first phase of operational testing, May 18, 2015. The short take-off, vertical landing capabilities of the F-35B are crucial to the mission of the Marine Corps and necessary for operation aboard a Navy amphibious ship. The aircraft are stationed with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Beaufort, South Carolina and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Yuma, Arizona. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Remington Hall/Released)