Marine Corps Hornet Squadron Repositioned to Eastern Europe

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 assigned to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, depart in F/A-18C Hornets from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, Feb. 26, to participate in Exercise Cold Response (Ex CR22) in Norway. *U.S. MARINE CORPS / Cpl. Aidan Parker*

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Defense Department has added another tactical jet squadron to eastern Europe to shore up U.S. European Command and possible NATO forces in the region, the Defense Department said.

Defense Department spokesman John F. Kirby told reporters March 29 that a 10-plane Marine Corps F/A-18 squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, would be dispatched to an airfield — which he did not name — in eastern Europe.

Kirby did not name the squadron but referred to the recent Exercise Cold Response in Norway, where Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 (VMFA-312) was deployed. It is likely that VMFA-312 was the squadron chosen. VMFA-312 operates F/A-18C/D Hornets. Other Hornet squadrons based at Beaufort include VMFA-115, VMFA(AW)-224 and VMFA(AW)-533.

Kirby also announced that “a couple of Marine C-130s” were also going to be repositioned to eastern Europe. These likely are KC-130J Super Hercules tanker/transports from Marine Aerial Refueler/Transport Squadron 252, base at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.

Also deploying from Exercise Cold Response to Lithuania are Marines assigned to Marine Air Control Group 28, Kirby said.

On March 29, Kirby announced that a Navy EA-18G Growler electronic attack squadron, VAQ-134, arrived at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, to strengthen U.S. forces on NATO’s Eastern Flank.