Aircraft
Marines Make Fighter History, Declare F-35B Combat Capable
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Yuma, Ariz., is the first squadron to begin operations with the fifth-generation fighter.
The Marines declared the F-35B combat-capable 14 years after Lockheed Martin started building the fighter. (Photo: U.S. Marine Corps)
The Marines declared the F-35B combat-capable 14 years after Lockheed Martin started building the fighter. (Photo: U.S. Marine Corps)

The U.S. Marine Corps declared initial operational capability (IOC) of the F-35B Lightning II on July 31, a milestone that represents official recognition the vertical takeoff and landing variant of the fighter is ready for combat. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-21), based at Yuma, Ariz., is the first squadron to begin operations with the fifth-generation fighter.