Marine Corps Aviation:F-35B Squadron Goes Operational

On 31 July,the US Marine Corps declared initial operational capability for the first squadron of Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II aircraft.Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition,Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall hailed the event as a significant milestone in the continued evolution of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.The decision was made following a thorough operational readiness inspection,which assessed the Marine Corps' ability to employ this complex weapon system in an operational environment.This accomplishment is an affirmation that the F-35 program is on track to deliver essential 5th generation warfighting capabilities to our US services and international partners,Mr.Kendall said.*
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121,VMFA-121,is based in Yuma,Arizona.It has 10 F-35Bs in the Block 2B configuration with the requisite performance envelope and weapon clearances,to include the training,sustainment capabilities and infrastructure to deploy to an austere site or a ship,Marine Corps Commandant General Joseph Dunford said.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.
The F-35B conducted flight operations for 7 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,GEN Dunford certified.*
The F-35B will replace the AV-8B Harrier,F/A-18 Hornet and EA-6B Prowler.More than 50 F-35B pilots have been trained and qualified,and about 500 maintenance personnel have been certified to assume autonomous,organic-level maintenance support for the aircraft,the USMC said in a press release.*
The British Royal Navy is also acquiring the F-35B for its new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth,and RN pilots and maintenance crews have been training alongside US Navy and Marine Corps personnel.*
GEN Dunford has been confirmed by the US Senate as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.*
Lockheed Martin (LMT)

New Marine Corps F-35B Fighter Squadron Formed

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)