Second F-35C Squadron at Miramar Reaches Milestone for Carrier Deployment

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 on Wednesday became the second squadron at Miramar certified to fly the F-35C Lightning II, the carrier version of the new stealth jet.

Maj. Gen. James Wellons, commander of the 3rd Marine Air Wing, announced the squadron’s initial operational capability.

“I am incredibly proud of the Marines and Sailors in this squadron as they hit this critical milestone that ensures greater lethality and operational readiness for the wing, the Marine Corps, and the joint force,” said Wellons.

Known as the “Tomcats,” the squadron was reactivated in April 2023 as part of the Marine Corps’ transition to an all fifth-generation jet force, moving from the AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18 Hornet to the F-35C.

“The Tomcats have a storied history that includes legends such as Ted Williams and John Glenn, and participation in every major conflict since World War II,” Wellons said. “Today’s Marines add another chapter to that legacy with the introduction of the F-35C and fifth-generation capabilities.”

The squadron achieved its “Safe for Flight” certification in September 2023, and flew over 900 sorties, approximately 1,700 hours, and completed more than 800 simulator hours and 2,400 maintenance actions to reach initial operational capability.

The next step for the Tomcats is to reach full operational capability in the coming year.

The F-35C is the only long-range stealth fighter designed and built explicitly for Navy carrier operations. The jets have heavier landing gear and enlarged, foldable wings compared to other versions of the aircraft.

The stealth jet’s multirole capabilities enable Marine Corps aviation to adapt to a wide range of mission requirements, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, reconnaissance and electronic warfare