MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Attack Squadron 311, the “Tomcats,” arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015.
After spending three months aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, USS Bonhomme Richard, VMA-311 came to Japan in support of the unit deployment program.
“Our squadron allows the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Aircraft Group 12 to have amphibious fixed-winged capabilities,” said Lt. Col. Toby Moore, commanding officer of VMA-311. “We provide aerial interdiction, which is like a strike mission. We also do armed reconnaissance and close air support.”
The squadron, originally stationed at MCAS Yuma, Ariz., arrived here to replace Marine Attack Squadron 231 that included approximately 150 Marines and six AV-8B Harrier aircraft.
“This deployment is a great experience for Marines, the integration was done very well,” said Moore. “We’ve been ground based a lot over the last 10 years, between Iraq and Afghanistan, so we don’t have as many Marines that have the experience of amphibious operations.”
VMA-311 has been in and out of Iwakuni over the years and were last aboard station in 2012.
“I believe that no matter where we are, we perform the same way. Whether we’re on a ship, in Afghanistan or Japan, as long as our jets are flying and can make mission, then it doesn’t really matter where we are,” said Sgt. Christian Cox, an aviation life support mechanic with VMA-311.