U.S. Marines with VMFA-225 loaded munitions onto F-35B Lightning II fighter jets in Puerto Rico throughout the reporting period on October 3rd, 2025, as part of ongoing high-tempo operations. The Marines have been operating out of NAS Roosevelt Roads for weeks, demonstrating expeditionary capabilities in the Caribbean. Footage released by SOUTHCOM on October 3rd, 2025, shows ordinance technicians prepping and loading live munitions onto the F-35Bs. These training exercises in the Caribbean are in support of SOUTHCOM's mission, Department of War-directed operations, and Presidential priorities, according to SOUTHCOM. The operations highlight the lethality and warfighting readiness of U.S. forces deployed to the region. The involvement of NAS Roosevelt Roads, a previously shuttered airfield, underscores the expeditionary nature of these deployments. Further details on the specific training objectives were not provided. This activity follows an announcement this morning, October 3rd, 2025, by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro regarding a special organizational exercise for that nation's command and control structures, aimed at strengthening defense mechanisms. The Venezuelan exercise is also currently underway.
