page_title: VMA-311
section_title: The Gulf War
hierarchical_section_title: VMA-311 / History / The Gulf War
caption_attribution_description: An AV -8B Harrier aircraft from Marine Attack Squadron 311 (VMA-311), Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, prepares to land aboard the USS TARAWA (LHA 1) (not shown) during Exercise KERNEL BLITZ 2001. Camera Operator: SGT CHRISTOPHER SURBER, USMC
context_page_description: Marine Attack Squadron 311 is a United States Marine Corps ATTACK squadron consisting of AV-8B Harrier jets. Known as the "Tomcats", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 13 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
context_section_description: In 1988 VMA-311 received its first AV-8B Harrier and shortly thereafter headed into harm's way again. On August 11, 1990, after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, VMA-311 deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield, leading all other Marine fixed-wing squadrons into Saudi Arabia where they were based out of King Abdulaziz Naval Base. While there, the Tomcats were the most forward deployed fixed-wing squadron.  On January 17, 1991 while in support of Operation Desert Storm the squadron became the first to utilize the AV-8B in combat when a flight of four Harriers destroyed an Iraqi artillery position in support of the Battle of Khafji. During 43 days of air combat operations, Tomcat pilots flew 1,017 combat missions and delivered 840 tons of ordnance against enemy targets throughout Kuwait and Southern Iraq.
caption: A VMA-311 Harrier landing on USS Tarawa in 2001
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