The proposed action would base and operate a total of 12 F-35B squadrons at MCAS Miramar and MCAS Yuma. This basing would include 10 active duty squadrons, one reserve squadron, and one Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) squadron.
The Marine Corps has identified five preliminary basing alternatives involving MCAS Miramar and MCAS Yuma:
- Alternative 1 balances distribution of the 12 F-35B squadrons between the two bases
- Alternatives 2 and 3 place 8 total squadrons at one base and 4 squadrons at the other
- Alternatives 4 and 5 represent maximum basing scenarios with 10 active-duty squadrons at one base and the reserve and OT&E squadrons at the other
| Squadron Basing Alternatives |
| Alternative |
MCAS Miramar |
MCAS Yuma |
| Number of Squadrons |
Number of Squadrons |
| 1 |
5 Active Duty
+ 1 Reserve |
5 Active Duty
+ 1 OT&E |
| 2 |
3 Active Duty
+ 1 Reserve |
7 Active Duty
+ 1 OT&E |
| 3 |
7 Active Duty
+ 1 OT&E |
3 Active Duty
+ 1 Reserve |
| 4 |
1 Reserve +
1 OT&E |
10 Active Duty |
| 5 |
10 Active Duty |
1 Reserve
+1 OT&E |
| No Action |
7 F/A-18 Squadrons
+ VMFAT-101 |
4 AV-8
Squadrons |