VMFA-121 at Red Beach

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.  This story published last December highlights a milestone along the way for the squadron as it prepares for its deployment to Japan in 2017. An F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter…

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…

Shelter for Strike Element Hornets

12/10/2016
12/10/2016: Maintenance personnel with Air Task group 630 are able to escape the heat and distraction on the flightline at Australia's main air operations base in the Middle East. A 4K Hangar - so named because it covers an area of 4000 square feet - has been constructed to allow maintenance…