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…

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…

F-35Bs, the MAGTF and the USS America

11/23/2016
11/23/2016: Twelve F-35B Lightning II's embarked on USS America (LHA 6) November 19, 2016. The demonstration is the first shipboard Marine Corps F-35B integration demonstration alongside other Marine Corps Air Combat Element assets. With over 22,500 flight hours logged, the F-35B is the most versatile aircraft in the skies today.  11/19/2016: Video…

F-35B Aerial Refueling

07/09/2016
07/09/2016: U.S. Marine Corps F35B Lighting II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing(MAW),particpate in aerial refueling missions with KC130J Super Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, Marine Air Group 11, 3d MAW at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz,…

F-35B First Transatlantic Flight

07/02/2016
07/02/2016: F-35B making its first transatlantic flight. Three F-35’s flew from MCAS Beaufort in South Carolina and landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England.  They were assisted by two KC-10’s. Footage courtesy of Cpl. Brian Burdett: 6/29/16

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…

VMA-211 Receives First F-35Bs

05/16/2016
05/16/2016: Marine Attack Squadron 211 received its first two F-35B Joint Strike Fighters aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Monday, May 9, 2016. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211) conducted their last scheduled flight as an AV-8B Harrier Squadron aboard MCAS Yuma, Ariz., Friday, May 6, 2016.  The squadron…

Visiting VMU-2 at Cherry Point

06/07/2015
06/07/2015: On May 18, 2015, the Second Line of Defense team visited the Marine Corps UAV squadron at Cherry Point. This was a return visit. In the earlier interview conducted in the summer of 2014. The importance of shaping a more flexible UAS for USMC operations was highlighted, With regard…