F-35B From USS Essex Conducts Its 1st Combat Strike

CENTCOM AOR (Sept. 27, 2018) U.S Marine Corps Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA 211) F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighters from the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) conducted the F-35B’s first combat strike. The strike occurred in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan. During this mission, the F-35B conducted an air strike in support of ground clearance operations, and the strike was deemed successful by the ground force com