U.S. Marine F-35Bs return after combat missions in Middle East

The U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VMFA-542) has returned from a five-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.

Operating under CENTCOM’s Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), VMFA-542 flew over 1,099 combat sorties and logged 4,736 mishap-free flight hours, according to the Marine Corps. During the deployment, the unit conducted Close Air Support, Defensive Counter-Air, and Armed Overwatch missions in support of U.S. and partner forces across the region.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Carlo F. Bonci, Executive Officer of VMFA-542, said:

“VMFA-542’s historic deployment has set new benchmarks for Marine Corps aviation, demonstrating that a forward deployed F-35B squadron can deliver unmatched combat power and readiness while seamlessly integrating with Joint Forces during a major regional crisis.”

The F-35B, capable of short takeoff and vertical landing, enabled flexible deployment across CENTCOM’s diverse operating environments. Marine officials said the aircraft provided critical contributions to CENTCOM’s air tasking cycle, including intelligence gathering, precision strike, and coalition integration.

While deployed, the squadron engaged in combined training with regional air forces, contributing to interoperability across air platforms and command networks. According to the Marine Corps, VMFA-542 maintained a high Aircraft Mission Capable readiness rate, which the service says “set the standard for aviation units across the fleet.”

The deployment also allowed the squadron to advance tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for the F-35B, validating the platform’s combat utility in a multi-service, multinational environment. Marine officials emphasized that VMFA-542’s execution proved the viability of sustained, high-tempo operations with the fifth-generation aircraft in austere forward environments.