VMA-311 “Tomcats” embark USS Bonhomme Richard

UNITED STATES

03.03.2017

Story by Capt. Jennifer Giles 

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit       

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan – Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 embarked aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as part of the USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, March 3, 2017.
Composed of AV-8B Harrier short takeoff-vertical landing jets, Marine Attack Squadron 311, “Tomcats,” based out of Yuma, Arizona are the fixed-wing offensive aviation asset for the Aviation Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
“VMA-311 is excited to be back aboard the BHR as part of the 31st MEU. We look forward to continuing the great working relationships that the Tomcats have enjoyed in the past,” said Maj. James "BC" Traylor, executive officer of VMA-311. “As an attack squadron we are excited to exercise our primary mission of providing fire support to the Marines on the ground.”

As a part of this deployment, VMA-311 will be conducting unit-level training to improve mission readiness for a routine patrol in support of the security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific.
“AV-8B Harriers contribute long range strike and fixed-wing close air support to complement VMM-262's already robust capabilities,” said Traylor.
As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force, the 31st MEU provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military tasks, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Indo-Asia- Pacific region.
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• Date Taken: 03.03.2017
• Date Posted: 03.08.2017 00:32
• Story ID: 225768
• Location: US