VMFA-121 Brings F-35B to Red Flag 16-3 For First Time

12/16/2016
12/16/2016:  We have recently interviewed the CO of VMFA-121 in Yuma in early December 2016 and will shortly publish his interview.  But this story from July 2016 discusses a milestone to the process of the squadron preparing for its deployment to Japan in 2017. Six F-35B Lightning IIs with Marine Fighter Attack…

Steel Knight 16: A Step for VMFA 121 on the Way to Japan in 2017

12/16/2016
12/16/2016: We have recently interviewed the CO of VMFA-121 in Yuma in early December 2016 and will shortly publish his interview.  But this story from a year ago discusses a milestone to the process of the squadron preparing for its deployment to Japan in 2017. Marines and Sailors with the 3rd Marine…

The Moment Pilots First Realized the F-35 was Something Extraordinary

12/16/2016
2016-12-06 By Todd Miller Statistics, Milestones, Capabilities, Flight characteristics, Test protocols, Cost, Software blocks. It is easy to get lost in the complexity of the F-35 program. The combined F-35 fleet now has over 75,000 flight hours, yet for many there remains a lack of understanding.  Much of this can…

USMC About USS America: The Future is Now

12/09/2016
2016-12-09 : PACIFIC OCEAN (NOV. 17, 2016) The F-35 Lightning II Pax River Integrated Test Force (ITF) wrapped up its third and final developmental test phase (DT-III) of the F-35B Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) on November 17. The Pax River…

F-35B Lightning II Completes Operations Aboard USS America (LHA 6): 1

12/06/2016
12/06/2016: PACIFIC OCEAN (NOV. 17, 2016) The F-35 Lightning II Pax River Integrated Test Force (ITF) wrapped up its third and final developmental test phase (DT-III) of the F-35B Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) on November 17. The Pax River ITF’s…

F-35B Lightning II Operations Aboard USS America (LHA 6) Wrap Up

12/06/2016
12/06/2016: PACIFIC OCEAN (NOV. 17, 2016) The F-35 Lightning II Pax River Integrated Test Force (ITF) wrapped up its third and final developmental test phase (DT-III) of the F-35B Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) on November 17. The Pax River ITF’s…

Green Knights reunion: VMFA-121 follows in the footsteps of their brothers

12/06/2016
12/06/2016: Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 hosted a squadron tour for Green Knight veterans who served during 1966 and 1967. Together, they celebrated the Marine Corps’ 241st birthday in Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 19. MCAS YUMA, CA, UNITED STATES 11.17.2016 Video by Lance Cpl. Jake McClung  Marine Corps Air Station Miramar…

The Marines Onboard the USS America: The Remaking of the Amphibious Strike Force

12/05/2016
2016-12-04 By Todd Miller “We’d always say ‘if its really a bad air to air (A2A) threat, get some additional jets up there, get some more capability.’  I have no pause or hesitation that this jet will dominate in an A2A environment, would dominate in a strike environment, dominate in…