Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, departs Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., April 7, 2022. Tripoli completed flight deck operations with 20 F-35B Lightning II jets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 211 and 225, Marine Aircraft Group 13, and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, as well as Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Lightning carrier concept demonstration. The Lightning carrier concept demonstration shows Tripoli and other amphibious assault ships are capable of operating as dedicated fixed-wing strike platforms when needed, capable of bringing fifth generation Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing aircraft wherever they are required. - Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, departs Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., April 7, 2022. Tripoli completed flight deck operations with 20 F-35B Lightning II jets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 211 and 225, Marine Aircraft Group 13, and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, as well as Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Lightning carrier concept demonstration. The Lightning carrier concept demonstration shows Tripoli and other amphibious assault ships are capable of operating as dedicated fixed-wing strike platforms when needed, capable of bringing fifth generation Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing aircraft wherever they are required.

A U.S. Marine fires a M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle during a live fire exercise aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Oct. 3. - A U.S. Marine fires a M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle during a live fire exercise aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Oct. 3.

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd MAW, work together to refuel an F-35B Lighting II during a forward area refueling point operation at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Feb. 4. - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd MAW, work together to refuel an F-35B Lighting II during a forward area refueling point operation at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Feb. 4.

U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Andre Adams, the quality assurance evaluator with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, folds the U.S. flag during the 77th Anniversary Evening Colors Ceremony at the Pacific Views Event Center on Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 24, 2019. The ceremony was held in honor of the official dedication of MCB Camp Joseph H. Pendleton, which took place Sept. 25, 1942. - U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Andre Adams, the quality assurance evaluator with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, folds the U.S. flag during the 77th Anniversary Evening Colors Ceremony at the Pacific Views Event Center on Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 24, 2019. The ceremony was held in honor of the official dedication of MCB Camp Joseph H. Pendleton, which took place Sept. 25, 1942.

A pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, waits to take off during an aerial gunnery and ordnance hot-reload exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, Solomon Sea, August 4, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. - A pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, waits to take off during an aerial gunnery and ordnance hot-reload exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, Solomon Sea, August 4, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations.

Lt. Col. Chad Vaughn, an F-35B Lightning II pilot stationed at Marine Aircraft Group 11, out of Yuma, Ariz. briefs GEN. Joseph L. Votel, commander of United States Central Command. The purpose of the visit was to inform CENTCOM senior leaders of the capabilities of the aircraft and how it meets the demands of the complex CENTCOM environment. - Lt. Col. Chad Vaughn, an F-35B Lightning II pilot stationed at Marine Aircraft Group 11, out of Yuma, Ariz. briefs GEN. Joseph L. Votel, commander of United States Central Command. The purpose of the visit was to inform CENTCOM senior leaders of the capabilities of the aircraft and how it meets the demands of the complex CENTCOM environment.

An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 “Green Knights” flies alongside a KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 over Southern California, March 8, 2016. The two F-35Bs completed additional training after successfully conducting an aerial refuel with VMGR-352. - An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 “Green Knights” flies alongside a KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 over Southern California, March 8, 2016. The two F-35Bs completed additional training after successfully conducting an aerial refuel with VMGR-352.

Marines perform a weapons functional test on an F-35B Lightning II aircraft during Exercise Steel Knight at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 10, 2015. The F-35B is a single seat, single engine stealth multi-role fighter bringing the Marine Corps into a whole new generation of aircraft. Exercise Steel Knight allowed for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 and Marine Operational and Test Evaluation Squadron 22 to train on integrating the F-35B and find its place in the Marine Air Ground Task Force, while giving the ground forces of 1st Marine Division the ability to become familiar with it. - Marines perform a weapons functional test on an F-35B Lightning II aircraft during Exercise Steel Knight at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 10, 2015. The F-35B is a single seat, single engine stealth multi-role fighter bringing the Marine Corps into a whole new generation of aircraft. Exercise Steel Knight allowed for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 and Marine Operational and Test Evaluation Squadron 22 to train on integrating the F-35B and find its place in the Marine Air Ground Task Force, while giving the ground forces of 1st Marine Division the ability to become familiar with it.

An F-5N Tiger II taxis after landing at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C. in Dec. 3, 2015 to support Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 in air-to-air training from Dec. 2-Dec. 11. Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 brought five F-5N Tiger II aircraft to support red air for VMFAT-501. Red air is the adversary forces for air-to-air training. - An F-5N Tiger II taxis after landing at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C. in Dec. 3, 2015 to support Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 in air-to-air training from Dec. 2-Dec. 11. Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 brought five F-5N Tiger II aircraft to support red air for VMFAT-501. Red air is the adversary forces for air-to-air training.

“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.”