USMC F-35 Lightning II Aviation Plan 2025
As detailed in the recently released 2025 Marine Aviation Plan, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) is undergoing a significant transformation of its aviation assets.
The plan aims to maintain a lethal and responsive Aviation Combat Element (ACE) by transitioning to an all-5th generation tactical aircraft fleet and modernising all other aspects of the ACE.
In the realm of fixed-wing aircraft, the F-35B/C Lightning II takes centre stage. The Marine Corps is adjusting its procurement strategy, with the total programme of record remaining at 420 F-35 aircraft, but with a notable shift towards more F-35Cs and fewer F-35Bs.
The revised plan calls for the acquisition of 280 F-35Bs and 140 F-35Cs, supporting 12 F-35B operational squadrons and 8 F-35C operational squadrons, respectively. Several F/A-18 Hornet squadrons, specifically VMFA-232, VMFA-323, VMFA-112, and VMFA-134, will transition to the F-35C variant.
By 2030, all operational F-35 squadrons will be equipped with 12 aircraft each, necessitating substantial manpower realignments. The Corps continues to emphasize its commitment to Naval Integration and the TACAIR Integration Plan, with F-35C squadrons regularly deploying as part of Navy carrier air wings. Further upgrades and modernization of the F-35 are underway, including TR-3 hardware, APG-85 radar enhancements, and continuous weapons integration, such as the internal storage of six AIM-120 missiles.
Overview of the USMC F-35 units related to the (planned) Full Operational Capability (FOC) Fiscal Years (FY):
| F-35B Lightning II | ||||
| FY15 | VMX-1 | Mihi Cura Futuri | ('MV-5x') | Edwards AFB (CA) |
| FY16 | VMFAT-501 | Warlords | ('VM-xx') | Beaufort MCAS (SC) |
| FY16 | VMFA-121 | Green Knights | ('VK-xx') | Iwakuni (Japan) |
| FY18 | VMFA-211 | Wake Island Avengers | ('CF-xx') | Yuma MCAS (AZ) |
| FY20 | VMFA-122 | The Flying Leathernecks | ('DC-xx') | Yuma MCAS (AZ) |
| FY22 | VMFAT-502 | Nightmares | ('WF-5xx') | Miramar MCAS (CA) |
| FY23 | VMFA-242 | Bats | ('DT-xx') | Iwakuni (Japan) |
| FY23 | VMFA-225 | Vikings | ('CE-xx') | Yuma MCAS (AZ) |
| FY24 | VMFA-214 | Black Sheep | ('WE-xx') | Yuma MCAS (AZ) |
| FY25 | VMFA-542 | Flying Tigers | ('WH-xx') | Cherry Point MCAS (NC) |
| FY26 | VMFA-533 | Hawks | ('ED-xx') | Beaufort MCAS (SC) |
| FY27 | VMFA-224 | Flying Bengals | ('WK-xx') | Beaufort MCAS (SC) |
| FY28 | VMFA-231 | Ace of Spades | ('CG-xx') | Cherry Point MCAS (NC) |
| FY29 | VMFA-223 | Bulldogs | ('WP-xx') | Cherry Point MCAS (NC) |
| FY30 | VMFA-312 | Checkerboards | ('DR-2xx') | Cherry Point MCAS (NC) |
| F-35C Lightning II | ||||
| FY22 | VMFA-314 | Black Knights | ('VM-3xx') | Miramar MCAS (CA) |
| FY25 | VMFA-311 | Tomcats | ('WL-xx') | Miramar MCAS (CA) |
| FY26 | VMFA-251 | Thunderbolts | ('DW-xxx') | Cherry Point MCAS (NC) |
| FY28 | VMFA-115 | Silver Eagles | ('VE-xx') | Cherry Point MCAS (NC) |
| FY31 | VMFA-232 | Red Devils | ('WT-xx') | Miramar MCAS (CA) |
| FY31 | VMFA-323 | Death Rattlers | ('WS-4xx') | Miramar MCAS (CA) |
| FY32 | VMFA-112 | Cowboys | ('MA-xx') | Fort Worth NAS JRB (TX) |
| FY32 | VMFA-134 | Smoke | ('MF-xx') | Miramar MCAS (CA) |
At the end of 2025, 183 F-35B and 52 F-35C aircraft will have been delivered to the USMC. See the Scramble Magazine Air Order of Battle for the United States Marine Corps Continental United States (CONUS) and World.
Credit photo: Dan Stijovich (Scramble Archive)