The "provocative move," as the DOD called it, comes several days after the U.S. said it struck a Venezuelan drug-carrying vessel, killing 11 on board.
Graduated pilots will now complete the carrier qualification during follow on training at their fleet replacement squadron, a Navy spokesperson said.
Officials say a pilot is safe after ejecting from an F-35C fighter jet near Naval Air Station Lemoore on Wednesday.
The North Carolina-based attack squadron flew its final Harrier flight May 29.
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