USMC’s first East Coast F-35B unit declared operational

The USMC formally declared its first East Coast-based F-35B Lightning II squadron operational when Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VMFA-542) ‘Tigers’ – a component of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) – achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) at MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina on February 5.

A pair of F-35Bs assigned to VMFA-542 'Tigers' - the USMC's first operational East Coast Lightning II unit - taxi back to the flightline at MCAS Cherry Point North Carolina, after completing a local training sortie on December 28, 2023. — A pair of F-35Bs assigned to VMFA-542 'Tigers' - the USMC's first operational East Coast Lightning II unit - taxi back to the flightline at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, after completing a local training sortie on December 28, 2023. USMC/Warrant Officer Akeel Austin

The IOC declaration means that VMFA-542 has a sufficient number of operational short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL)-capable F-35Bs; trained pilots and maintainers; and support equipment to self-sustain its mission essential tasks (METs). The units METs include close air support, offensive anti-air warfare, strike coordination and reconnaissance (SCAR) and electronic attack operations.

Previously known as Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA-542) and an operator of the AV-8B Harrier II, the ‘Tigers’ carried out their final mission with the Harrier from MCAS Cherry Point on December 1, 2022, signalling the start of its transition to the F-35B. The unit gained its first Lightning II on May 31, 2023, and achieved its Safe for Flight certification on August 11, that year.