The pilots of Marine Attack Squadron 211 kicked off the squadron’s deployment to Afghanistan, April 17, beginning their AV-8B Harriers’ travels to Southwest Asia.
More than 200 Marines with both the squadron and Marine Aviation Logistics 13 boarded aircraft to follow their brethren the following day..
The squadron, out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, will be conducting offensive air operations across the theater in support of the 3rd Marine Air Wing under Operation Enduring Freedom, said Lt. Col. Chris “Otis†Raible, VMA-211’s commanding officer.
VMA-211, which will be based out of Kandahar, Afghanistan for the deployment, will be using the Intrepid Tiger II, which will provide electronic warfare capabilities for the AV-8B Harriers of the squadron. The Intrepid Tiger II, a pod that fits to the outside of the aircraft, will have the ability to be controlled from the ground as the aircraft is in flight. This will help balance the heavy demand for electronic warfare capability that is provided for by an insufficient supply of EA-6B Prowlers.
Once the squadron has set up operations in Afghanistan, VMA-211 will be relieving Marine Attack Squadron 223.
