By SOFREP
The US Marine Corps’ F-35C Lightning II has officially entered the combat scene, launching its first-ever airstrikes earlier this month against weapon storage sites in Houthi-controlled Yemen.
These strikes, conducted between November 9 and 10, targeted anti-ship missiles used by the Iran-backed Houthis to threaten commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The F-35C jets, part of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) out of Miramar, California, took off from the USS Abraham Lincoln in the US Central Command area.
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This milestone marks a significant moment for the F-35C, demonstrating its ability to operate in contested airspace and deliver precision strikes.
The commander of VMFA-314, Lt. Col. Jeffrey “Wiki” Davis, described the deployment as showcasing the aircraft’s “warfighting advantage.”
While the exact type of munitions used remains unclear, the F-35C is capable of carrying Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and air-to-air missiles.
This achievement adds to the combat history of the F-35 series, with the F-35B and F-35A having seen action in previous conflicts against ISIS and the Taliban.
The deployment of the F-35C comes amidst heightened regional tensions following Hamas’ attack on Israel in 2023 and ongoing US efforts to counter threats from groups like the Houthis.
