F-35 Pacific Symposium

03/18/2017
03/18/2017: In this Pacific Update, leaders gathered at Joint Base Pearl harbor-Hickam for the F-35B Lightning II Symposium with an interview of Brig. Gen. Craig Wills, Director of Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Video by Staff Sgt. Mariko Frazee: 3/17/2017 American Forces Network…

F-35B Refueling

02/07/2017
02/07/2017: United States Marine Corps Air Traffic Control Facilities Officer Captain Joseph Ellis discusses the F-35B Lightning II refueling exercise taking place on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 31, 2017. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Lance Cpl Desiree D King) CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES Credit:Marine Corps…

VMFA-121 on the Way to Japan

01/12/2017
01/12/2017: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, California (January 10, 2017) Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, an F-35B squadron with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, departed Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, transferring to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 9, 2017. The first location to receive the Marine Corps' F-35B,…

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…

F-35B Lightning II Completes Operations Aboard USS America (LHA 6): 2

12/09/2016
12/09/2016: 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 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…

VMFAT-501, Royal Air Force Arrive for U.K. Air Shows

07/02/2016
07/02/2016: F-35B Lightning IIs depart from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort June 29. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 pilots and maintainers are traveling to the United Kingdom to support the Royal International Air Tattoo and the Farnborough International Airshow. Personnel and equipment from both the U.S. Marine Corps and the…