Six U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter jets, operating under the call sign MAZDA11, diverted to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, on September 12th, 2025, at approximately 7:16 PM UTC. The aircraft were originally scheduled to fly from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Supporting tanker aircraft, GOLD61 and GOLD62, also modified their routes, according to flight tracking data. The diversion occurred within the reporting window, which spans 45 minutes from 7:16 PM UTC to 8:01 PM UTC on September 12th. The F-35Bs were supported by two KC-135 Stratotankers; GOLD61 departed from MCAS Yuma, and GOLD62 departed from Key Field, Mississippi. The specific reasons for the diversion have not been officially disclosed by U.S. military authorities. This development coincides with a reported closure of the Francisco de Miranda General Military Air Base, also known as La Carlota Air Base, in Venezuela for "Protocol Acts." The restriction is in effect from 7 PM UTC today until 2 AM UTC tomorrow, September 13th. This activity in Venezuela was noted at 7:00 PM UTC. Previous reports from earlier on September 12th indicated ongoing U.S. Air Force transport operations into Puerto Rico, involving a C-5M Super Galaxy and a C-17A Globemaster III. An additional C-17A was observed departing CEIBA, Puerto Rico, within the past hour relative to earlier reporting. These flights followed the arrival of U.S. Marines at the same location from MCAS Yuma. The Dutch Royal Navy frigate HNLMS Van Amstel also docked in Curaçao yesterday, September 11th, contributing to heightened military observations in the Caribbean region.
