Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 became the first operational F-35 squadron to shoot an air-to-air missile during a training exercise at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 15.

“The weapons system worked perfectly, which really builds confidence among our pilots and Marines,” said Lt. Col. Chad Vaughn, commanding officer of VMFA-211, which is one of two operational F-35 squadrons in 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the U.S. Marine Corps as a whole.

VMFA-211 shot two AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles as part of the Weapons System Evaluation Program, in which the squadron has four F-35Bs participating.

“This milestone was also significant because it provided invaluable experience for our pilots and Marines that work to support flight operations,” added Vaughn. “Training with U.S. Air Force F-22s, F-16s and other platforms has also been very beneficial.”

VMFA-211 made the transition to an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron from an AV-8B Harrier squadron just a little more than two months ago in July 2016.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a supersonic, multi-role, multi-service aircraft that represents a quantum leap in air dominance capability. It combines next-generation fighter characteristics of radar-evading stealth, supersonic speed, fighter agility and advanced logistical support with the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor package of any fighter aircraft in history to provide unprecedented lethality and survivability.

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