‘Tomcats’ return as USMC’s second F-35C Lightning II squadron

The USMC activated its second Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II squadron Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 (VMFA-311) ‘Tomcats’ (code ‘WL-XX’), on April 14.

The ‘Tomcats’ have operated the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II since 1988, until it stood down at its former home base at MCAS Yuma, Arizona, in October 2020. VMA-311 was then designated to be reactivated as a Lightning II squadron, becoming the second USMC unit to transition to the F-35C, the traditional carrier-based variant of the fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter.

Marines assigned to VMFA-311 'Tomcats' - a part of Marine Aircraft Group 11's (MAG-11's) 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) - participate in the unit's reactivation ceremony at MCAS Miramar, California, on April 14, 2023. The 'Tomcats' have become the USMC's second F-35C squadron. USMC/Chief Warrant Officer 2 Trent Randolph

Now based at MCAS Miramar, California, VMFA-311 will follow VMFA-314 ‘Black Knights’, also based at Miramar, in operating the F-35C. ‘Black Knights’ (code ‘NG-3XX’) has just completed its first F-35C deployment, having embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) as part of Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) from January to August 2022.

The ‘Tomcats’ was initially established as Marine Fighter Squadron 311 (VMF-311) on December 1, 1942, and equipped with the Vought F4U-1 Corsair. In 1948, the unit became the USMC’s first operational jet squadron after transitioning to the Grumman F9F Panther. The squadron was subsequently upgraded to the F9F-8 Cougar and was redesignated VMA-311 on June 1, 1957. From 1958 to 1988, it operated the Douglas A4D Skyhawk, before transitioning to the Harrier II.

VMFA-311 also supported operations during the Korean War, Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.