F-35Bs Armed With Gun Pod Continue Supporting Operation Octave Quartz With Armed Aerial Patrols over Somalia
January 13, 2021 F-35, Military Aviation, Troubled Areas
David Cenciotti
The U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs are among the combat aircraft supporting OOQ (Operation Octave Quartz) in the Horn of Africa.
Octave Quartz is the name of the U.S. operation to reposition forces in Somalia to other East Africa operating locations while maintaining pressure on violent extremists and supporting partner forces. “Joint Task Force – Quartz operations support U.S. Africa Command and international efforts that promote a peaceful and stable Somalia. Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to U.S. and regional interests,†reads every public statement released by the U.S. DoD about the operation in the Horn of Africa.
Among the aircraft providing CAS (Close Air Support) to the U.S. forces in the region are the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 also known as the Flying Leathernecks, deployed off Somalia aboard amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8).
https://theaviationist.com/2021/01/13/f-35bs-armed-with-gun-pod-continue-supporting-operation-octave-quartz-with-armed-aerial-patrols-over-somalia/
