US Marines to Phase Out F/A-18 Maintenance Roles in Transition to F-35 Fleet
The U.S. Marine Corps has announced a strategic plan to phase out enlisted maintenance jobs associated with the F/A-18 Hornet as the service transitions to an all-F-35 tactical aircraft fleet. According to a recent Marine Administrative Message, all remaining Hornet squadrons will be deactivated by 2030, effectively eliminating six specific military occupational specialties, including mechanic and avionics technician roles. Current personnel in these fields are encouraged to retrain for F-35 positions or transfer to other specialties; those who do not volunteer may face involuntary reassignment based on service needs. The transition will occur regionally, with Hornet operations ending at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort by August 2028, MCAS Miramar by August 2029, and NAS JRB Fort Worth by August 2030. This move marks the end of an era for the Hornet, adopted in 1983 and described as the workhorse of Marine aviation, in favor of the F-35’s advanced stealth and electronic warfare capabilities. The Corps aims to expand its F-35 fleet to 420 aircraft under the 2026 Marine Aviation Plan.
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US Marines to Phase Out F/A-18 Maintenance Roles in Transition to F-35 Fleet
The U.S. Marine Corps has announced a strategic plan to phase out enlisted maintenance jobs associated with the F/A-18 Hornet as the service transitions to an all-F-35 tactical aircraft fleet. According to a recent Marine Administrative Message, all remaining Hornet squadrons will be deactivated by 2030, effectively eliminating six specific military occupational specialties, including mechanic and avionics technician roles. Current personnel in these fields are encouraged to retrain for F-35 positions or transfer to other specialties; those who do not volunteer may face involuntary reassignment based on service needs. The transition will occur regionally, with Hornet operations ending at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort by August 2028, MCAS Miramar by August 2029, and NAS JRB Fort Worth by August 2030. This move marks the end of an era for the Hornet, adopted in 1983 and described as the workhorse of Marine aviation, in favor of the F-35’s advanced stealth and electronic warfare capabilities. The Corps aims to expand its F-35 fleet to 420 aircraft under the 2026 Marine Aviation Plan.
Marine Corps Times