The Marines have reactivated a fighter squadron with a lineage that traces back to Guadalcanal as the first East Coast squadron to fly the Corps\u2019 newest fighter jet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marine Attack Fighter Squadron 251, or VMFA-251, received its first F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter<\/a> in mid-September before the unit officially reactivated in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on Dec. 5, according to the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur immediate focus is working towards initial operational capability, which means that VMFA-251 has enough operational F-35C Lightning II aircraft, trained pilots, maintainers, and support equipment to self-sustain its mission essential tasks,\u201d Lt. Col. Evan Shockley, squadron commander, said in a release<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following those moves, Shockley said, the unit will pivot to reach full operational capability. The squadron, which was established during World War II, was deactivated in 2020 after 34 years as an F\/A-18 Hornet squadron, according to the release<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\t