Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121

An F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 conducts a vertical landing on the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. flightline March 21, 2013. BF-19, piloted by Maj. Richard Rusnok, an F-35B test pilot, marked an important milestone in the evolution of the aircraft conducting the first short take off, vertical landing outside of a testing environment. (Photo by Lance Cpl Brendan King)

F-35B pilot instructor Maj. A. C. Liberman greets Yuma-based Marines upon his arrival to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma after flying in Third Marine Aircraft Wing's first F-35B to the station flightline, Nov. 16. The arrival of the aircraft marks the beginning of a new chapter in Marine Corps aviation history, bringing the latest and greatest aircraft in the world to the tip of America's expeditionary spear. The arrival of the F-35B to MCAS Yuma highlights next week's official re-designation of Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121, an F/A-18 Hornet Squadron, as the world's first operational F-35 squadron at MCAS Yuma. MCAS Yuma is scheduled to receive four operational squadrons consisting of up to 16 aircraft plus one Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) squadron with up to 8 aircraft.

An F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 conducts a vertical landing on the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. flightline March 21, 2013. BF-19, piloted by Maj. Richard Rusnok, an F-35B test pilot, marked an important milestone in the evolution of the aircraft conducting the first short take off, vertical landing outside of a testing environment. (Photo by Staff Sgt Jessica Smith)

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 conducted its first F-35B Lightning II short take off and vertical landing at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., March 21, 2013. VMFA-121 is the Marine Corps' first operational F-35B squadron which is currently building its operational capabilities to include 16 total aircraft and up to 300 personnel. (Photo by Staff Sgt Jessica Smith)

Third Marine Aircraft Wing's first F-35B taxis in Fri., Nov. 16, 2012 at approximately 1 p.m. on the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma flightline. Piloted by F-35 pilot instructor Maj. A. C. Liberman, today's arrival highlights next week's official re-designation of Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121, an F/A-18 Hornet Squadron, as the world's first operational F-35 squadron at MCAS Yuma. The F-35B accomplishes the multi-role, fifth-generation capabilities needed across the full spectrum of military operations to deter potential adversaries and protect our nation and its interests. Known as the F-35 Lightning II, the F-35B will eventually replace the Corps' aging legacy tactical fleet of AV-8B Harriers, F/A-18 Hornets and EA-6B Prowlers.

A Marine Corps firefighter with Marine Corps Air Station Yuma's aircraft rescue and fire fighter unit attaches a hook to one of the hook points on the F-35B during an aircraft lift training exercise at MCAS Yuma, Feb. 8.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 conducted its first operational F-35B Lighting II flight at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 21, 2013. "This flight not only marks the first local flight of the F-35B in Yuma, it marks the first time a flight was conducted with the Marine Corps, or any service branch, primarily responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Scott, VMFA-121 commanding officer and a native of San Jose, Calif. "The success of the flight is a tribute the Marines of this squadron, their tremendous work getting to this point and to the field training detachment as well as the support from our higher headquarters at MAG-13, 3rd MAW and Headquarters Marine Corps."(Photo by Lance Cpl. Uriel Avendano)

ATLANTIC OCEAN - A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter F-35B Lighting II maneuvers after a vertical landing on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) on day thirteen of sea trial. U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist First Class Tommy Lamkin

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 conducted its first operational F-35B Lighting II flight at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 21, 2013. "This flight not only marks the first local flight of the F-35B in Yuma, it marks the first time a flight was conducted with the Marine Corps, or any service branch, primarily responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft", said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Scott, VMFA-121 commanding officer and a native of San Jose, Calif. "The success of the flight is a tribute the Marines of this squadron, their tremendous work getting to this point and to the field training detachment as well as the support from our higher headquarters at MAG-13, 3rd MAW and Headquarters Marine Corps" (Photo by Lance Cpl. Uriel Avendano)

Third Marine Aircraft wing welcomed its first F-35 squadron during a re-designation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 on Nov. 20. The ceremony transitioned the squadron from an F/A-18 Hornet squadron to VMFA-121, the Marine Corps first operational F-35 squadron. As the premiere aviation training facility in the Marine Corps, the basing of the Corps' first operational squadron in Yuma solidifies the future of Marine tactical aviation training in Southern Arizona. Today's ceremony marks an important milestone for the Marine Corps and the Department of Defense as the F-35 progresses from a testing and training aircraft towards full-scale tactical aviation operations.

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Members from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band perform for the public at the 2012 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show, Oct. 14. The members played many show tunes for the public to enjoy.

The second F-35B Lightning II, BF-20, lands at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma during the re-designation ceremony of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Nov. 20 at the VMFA-121 hangar, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. The Green Knights will make up the first operational F-35B squadron not only in the Marine Corps, but in the world. The readiness and capability of an organic air combat element is vital to the Marine Air Ground Task Force and all aspects of Marine Corps operations. The F-35B will provide the Marine Corps with the next generation of tactical aircraft dominance in the Marine Corps.

Yuma's second F-35B, BF-20, arrives at Marine Corps AirStation Yuma's flightline following the re-designation ceremonyfor Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Nov. 20. The Green Knights, formerly an F/A-18 Hornet squadron, is the Marine Corps' first operational F-35 squadron. The F-35 marks the next generation of tactical aviation dominance in the Marine Corps.

Honored guests salute during the National Anthem at the 2012 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show, Oct. 13. During the ceremony the station commanding officer and the 3rd MAW commanding general gave speeches followed by a performance from the band.