The world's first operational squadron of F35B Joint Strike Fighters has been formed by the US Marine Corps at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma,Arizona.Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 was formally inaugurated at a November 20 ceremony.Its first F-35B aircraft had arrived on the 15th,and a second landed at the base on the 20th.There will ultimately be 16 of the ultra-sophisticated jets in the squadron,slated to arrive within a year's time.
The squadron had formerly flown the F/A-18D Hornet fighter jets for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.The first two members of the new squadron are veteran pilots of 3rd MAW who trained on the F35B at Eglin Air Force Base,Florida.
The Pentagon spent about 500 million dollars on improvements to MCAS Yuma for the new squadron,preparing facilities,hangars and runways for the advanced stealth aircraft.Some had questioned the new squadron's formation on concerns that the new aircraft's bugs had not been thoroughly worked out amid its schedule delays and cost overruns.Prime F35B contractor Lockheed Martin insists the propulsion and structural issues have now been resolved.
Speaking at the ceremony,one of the program's critics,Senator John McCain(R-Arizona),said he was encouraged that the overall program is moving in the right direction.It is finally set up to produce more achievable and predictable outcomes.
The short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft can be launched from smaller ships and land in more confined areas,giving it more tactical flexibility than conventional maritime fighter aircraft.It can be used on a wider variety of missions because of these advantages,as well as its stealthy,radar-evading airframe.
The commanding officer of the new squadron is Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey B. Scott.
Lockheed Martin(LMT)
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