WASHINGTON, — A U.S. Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314), the “Black Knights,” has been photographed carrying markings for three submarines and several other targets following Operation Epic Fury.
The photograph was obtained by The Aviationist and published on October 5, 2026. The aircraft operated from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) as part of Carrier Air Wing 9.
F-35C Displays Multiple Target Markings
The markings are located below the cockpit and on a weapon bay door. They include:
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Three submarines
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An oil tanker
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A surface combatant resembling a corvette or frigate
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A Shahed-type one-way attack drone
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An artillery piece
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A possible truck-mounted air-defense system
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A possible static missile launcher
The submarine silhouettes are highly stylized, and no specific vessels have been publicly linked to the three markings.
Weapons Markings
The F-35C also displays markings for weapons used during its missions, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AGM-154 JSOW, GBU-31 JDAM, GBU-32 JDAM and GBU-54 Laser JDAM. Tally marks indicate multiple weapons were expended.
Iranian Submarine Losses
During Operation Epic Fury, the United States confirmed the destruction of the Iranian Kilo-class submarine Taregh while it was in port. The United States also confirmed the destruction of ** Fateh**, the lead submarine of Iran’s Fateh class, along with multiple Ghadir-class submarines.
Iran’s other two Kilo-class submarines were believed to have been inoperable for some time. At least one Ghadir-class submarine was hit by an AGM-114 Hellfire missile, meaning that particular engagement could not have involved this F-35C based on its displayed weapons.
The three submarine markings on the F-35C cannot currently be connected to specific Iranian submarines.
Shahed Drone Marking
The aircraft also carries a marking representing a one-way attack drone. VMFA-314 previously shot down a Shahed-139 approaching USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on February 3, 2026. The marking may be associated with that engagement, although its shape more closely resembles a Shahed-136.
Earlier F/A-18F “Sub Buster” Marking
The F-35C photograph follows the earlier appearance of an F/A-18F Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 41 (VFA-41), the “Black Aces.”
The aircraft, BuNo 168491, returned to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, on October 1, 2026, carrying a submarine silhouette marked “Sub Buster.” The silhouette most closely resembles a Kilo-class submarine, although the specific vessel has not been identified.
Both VFA-41 and VMFA-314 operated from USS Abraham Lincoln as part of Carrier Air Wing 9.
The carrier completed a 302-day deployment. The F-35C markings provide a record of the different naval, air and ground targets associated with its missions, although the specific weapons used against the three submarines have not been publicly detailed.
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