2012-11-25 Second Line of Defense visited MAWTS a week prior to the official ceremony welcoming planes for the new F-35 squadron at the Marine Air Station at Yuma Arizona. We visited MAWTS last year to discuss the evolution of training and tactics associated with the V-22 as well as the…
2012-11-21 In a four-part follow up set of interviews, Second Line of Defense is looking at the role and impact of the USS America. Interviews have been conducted with the prospective commander of the ship, the head of amphibious ship building in the USN, a senior USMC general on its role,…
By James Gilbert, Yuma Sun A squadron that has been on the forefront of the most significant transition periods in the 100-year history of Marine Corps aviation did so again on Tuesday when it officially became the first operational squadron to fly the F-35B Lightning II. “I ask you to…
2012-11-21 Not surprisingly, the local media in Arizona covered the event while the national media was largely absent. Sen. John McCain, Gov. Jan Brewer and other officials were on hand for the special ceremony at the base. After three speeches, two of the jets landed at the base. They were…
2012-11-18 by Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake Dateline: Yuma, Arizona Later this month the first 2 F-35 Bravos are arriving at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma. As the future home of five F-35 JSF operational squadrons of 16 aircraft each and one operational test and evaluation squadron of eight…
2012-11-19 According to a Lockheed Martin Press Release: An F-35A Lightning II conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft rapidly expanded its high angle of attack (AOA) test envelope to its 50 degree limit in only four flights during recent flight testing here. F-35A test aircraft are limited to AOAs of…
11/18/12 by Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake Dateline Yuma, Arizona Second Line of Defense visited Yuma Arizona this week and the F-35 factory in Fort Worth focusing on the next phase of the F-35 program, standing up an operational squadron. We will have much to write on these events in…
11/16/12 by James Gilbert, Yuma Sun In what was history in the making, the first F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, landed at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma on Friday afternoon. Marine pilot Maj. Aric Liberman arrived at the air station at approximately 1 p.m., having…
