Marine Corps F-35C Makes Historic Combat Debut in Yemen

The United States Navy revealed on Wednesday that the F-35C Lightning II aircraft of the United States Marine Corps carried out its first combat attacks earlier this month, with the target being armament storage sites in Yemen that are controlled by the Houthis.

The aircraft, which was deployed from the United States Ship Abraham Lincoln, attacked anti-ship missile installations in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden on November 9 and 10. These sites were utilized by Houthis, who are supported by Iran. This is the first time that the F-35C has been used in combat, and it is being flown by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314), which is headquartered in Miramar, California.

In his remarks, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Davis, who is the commanding officer of the VMFA-314, emphasized the capacity of the aircraft to operate in contested airspace. "My Marines are honored to be first to fight with the F-35C," he stated to reporters.

Although it is unknown what specific weapons were employed in the strikes, the F-35C is capable of traveling at speeds of up to 1,200 miles per hour and carries advanced ordnance like as joint direct-attack missiles (JDAMs) and air-to-air missiles.

In light of the fact that tensions in the region continue to exist as a result of recent conflicts, this deployment highlights the versatility of the F-35C and its vital role in current military operations.

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