--- title: "F-35s Arrive In Puerto Rico For Counter-Drug Operation" description: "A flight of six [F-35B stealth fighters]() landed in Puerto Rico Saturday afternoon to take part in the Trump administration's enhanced [operation against narcotraffickers](), also aimed at Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. They will join one of the largest U.S. military…" date: "2025-09-13" modified: "2025-09-13" authors: - name: "Howard Altman" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/f-35b-joint-strike-fighters-arrive-in-puerto-rico-for-counter-drug-operation" categories: - "Air" - "Americas" - "Around The Globe" - "F-35" - "F-35B" - "Fighters" - "News & Features" - "POTUS" - "South America" --- # F-35s Arrive In Puerto Rico For Counter-Drug Operation ![F-35B Puerto Rico]() *\Stock photo of USMC F-35Bs (\Chief Petty Officer Omar Dominquez)* A flight of six [F-35B stealth fighters]() landed in Puerto Rico Saturday afternoon to take part in the Trump administration's enhanced [operation against narcotraffickers](), also aimed at Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. They will join one of the largest U.S. military deployments to the Caribbean in years. Video emerged of the jets landing at the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. A U.S. defense official told *The War Zone* that "\[w\]e have no force posture changes to announce currently." Interestingly, the F-35s seen landing at the base have no unit markings on their tails. This could be force protection/security tactic, but the reason isn't clear at this time. https://twitter.com/Global\_Mil\_Info/status/1966973500343947414 https://twitter.com/OSINTWarfare/status/1967008064189423748 The fifth-generation jets originated at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma and did a stopover at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, according to open source flight trackers on social media. https://twitter.com/eduardomenoni/status/1966968933761823218 They were photographed being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker near Miami. https://twitter.com/luiscarrasquelR/status/1966945216608563280 Earlier this month, [Trump ordered 10 F-35s]() to take part in a mission that the Trump administration has made the centerpiece of its foreign policy and power projection. The White House considers Maduro a narco-terrorist tied to a Venezuelan drug cartel. He is also a fugitive with a $50 million bounty on his head. The jets join an armada that includes 4,500 Marines and sailors, at least eight ships, including a nuclear-powered *Los Angeles* class fast attack submarine, and many other military assets. The Air Combat Element (ACE) that's part of the amphibious group have AV-8B+ Harriers deployed to the USS *Iwo Jima,* as well. A second flight of four F-35s from MCAS Yuma is also headed toward Puerto Rico, according to open source flight spotters. https://twitter.com/LatAmMilMVMTs/status/1966881446628409563 [Deadly force has already been used ]()in this mission. Trump said 11 smugglers were killed in a U.S. strike on a cartel boat tied to the Tren de Aragua (TD) drug cartel. Venezuela later [flew two F-16s near]() the *Arleigh Burke* class guided missile destroyer USS *Jason Dunham*. It is unclear what missions the F-35s will perform. We’ve reached out to the White House and Pentagon for more details. It is not unusual to have [high-end aircraft join the fight]() against narcotics trafficking. The F-35s bring a wide array of capabilities wherever they are deployed. While best known for its kinetic capabilities, including striking targets and taking on enemy aircraft, the Joint Strike Fighter is an extremely powerful intelligence gathering tool, with its highly capable radar and electro-optical systems. Yet its electronic intelligence gathering ability is perhaps its most potent reconnaissance asset. You can read more about that [here](). In addition, the B model is capable of operating on the *Wasp* class amphibious assault ship USS *Iwo Jima*, that is, as we noted earlier, currently off the coast of Puerto Rico. Launching and recovering from a ship as an option provides commanders with extra flexibility when planning operations. ![ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 17, 2025) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) conducts an anchoring evolution. Sailors and Marines of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG) – 22nd MEU(SOC) departed Norfolk and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina after completing a comprehensive, nine-month training program. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Logan Goins)]() *The *Wasp* class amphibious assault ship USS *Iwo Jima* (LHD 7) conducts an anchoring evolution. Sailors and Marines of the *Iwo Jima* Amphibious Ready Group – 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Logan Goins) Seaman Logan Goins* This is a developing story. *Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com* ## Author Howard is a Senior Staff Writer for *TWZ*. He writes frequently about conflict, focusing heavily on the Middle East and Ukraine, and interviews with military and intelligence officials and industry leaders from around the globe. He lives near Tampa, Florida, home of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [LinkedIn]()