The
U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B Lightning II aircraft reached initial operational
capability July 31, 2015 with a squadron of 10 F-35Bs ready for world-wide
deployment. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), based in
Yuma, Arizona, is the first squadron in military history to become operational
with an F-35 variant, following a five-day Operational Readiness Inspection,
which concluded July 17. |
 ATLANTIC
OCEAN (May 18, 2015) Two F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters complete
vertical landings aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1)
during the opening day of the first session of operational testing.
As the future of Marine Corps aviation, the F-35B will eventually replace
all aircraft from three legacy Marine Corps platforms; the AV-8B Harrier,
the F/A-18 Hornet, and the EA-6B Prowler. The aircraft are stationed
with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, Marine Aircraft Group
31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Beaufort, South Carolina and Marine Fighter
Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing,
Yuma, Arizona. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Remington Hall/Released)
|
“I
am pleased to announce that VMFA-121 has achieved Initial Operational
Capability in the F-35B, as defined by requirements outlined in the
June 2014 Joint Report to Congressional Defense Committees,” said
Gen. Joseph Dunford, Commandant of the Marine Corps. “VMFA-121
has ten aircraft in the Block 2B configuration with the requisite performance
envelope and weapons clearances, to include the training, sustainment
capabilities, and infrastructure to deploy to an austere site or a ship.
It is capable of conducting Close Air Support, Offensive and Defensive
Counter Air, Air Interdiction, Assault Support Escort and Armed Reconnaissance
as part of a Marine Air Ground Task Force, or in support of the Joint
Force.”
Dunford stated that he has his full confidence in the F-35B’s
ability to support Marines in combat, predicated on years of concurrent
developmental testing and operational flying.
“Prior to declaring IOC, we have conducted flight operations for
seven weeks at sea aboard an L-Class carrier, participated in multiple
large force exercises, and executed a recent operational evaluation
which included multiple live ordnance sorties," said Dunford. "The
F-35B’s ability to conduct operations from expeditionary airstrips
or sea-based carriers provides our Nation with its first 5th generation
strike fighter, which will transform the way we fight and win.”
As the future of Marine Corps tactical aviation, the F-35 will eventually
replace three legacy platforms: the AV-8B Harrier, the F/A-18 Hornet,
and the EA-6B Prowler.
“The success of VMFA-121 is a reflection of the hard work and
effort by the Marines in the squadron, those involved in the program
over many years, and the support we have received from across the Department
of the Navy, the Joint Program Office, our industry partners, and the
Under Secretary of Defense. Achieving IOC has truly been a team effort,”
concluded Dunford.
The U.S. Marine Corps has trained and qualified more than 50 Marine
F-35B pilots and certified about 500 maintenance personnel to assume
autonomous, organic-level maintenance support for the F-35B.
VMFA-121’s transition will be followed by Marine Attack Squadron
211 (VMA-211), an AV-8B squadron, which is scheduled to transition to
the F-35B in fiscal year 2016. In 2018, VAM-311 will conduct its transition
to the F-35B. |
