Stepping out into the world: US Marines to deploy their first F-35B squadron

The squadron, based in Arizona, had completed flight inspections and trials at sea before deployment.

WASHINGTON: The US Marine Corps on Friday stated that its first squadron of 10 F-35B Lightning II aircraft is ready for worldwide deployment.

Friday’s declaration of initial operational capability for its F-35Bs "marks a significant milestone in the continued evolution of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme," Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall said in a statement issued by the Department of Defense.

"The decision was made following a thorough operational readiness inspection, which assessed the Marine Corps' ability to employ this complex weapon system in an operational environment," Kendall continued.

The Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, or VMFA-121, is based in Yuma, Arizona. It is the first squadron in military history to become operational with an F-35 variant.

Its deployment was cleared following a five-day operational readiness inspection, which concluded on July 17. It had also spent seven weeks at sea for flight trials aboard an aircraft carrier.

"I am pleased to announce that VMFA-121 has achieved initial operational capability in the F-35B, as defined by requirements outlined in the June 201, Marine Corps chief General Joseph Dunford, said.

He added that the Marines will be getting ten aircraft in the block-2B configuration and will be deployed for training, sustainment capabilities, with the requisite weapons clearance. The squadron can be deployed to a land based austere site or on an aircraft carrier. Additionally, the Marine Corps has trained and qualified more than 50 Marine F-35B pilots and certified about 500 maintenance personnel to assume autonomous, organic-level maintenance support for the jets.

He further added, “It is capable of conducting close air support, offensive and defensive counter air, air interdiction, assault support escort and armed reconnaissance as part of a Marine air-ground task force, or in support of the joint force"

'F-35 Programme is on Track'

Noting how the declaration was an affirmation of largely troubled the fighter jet programme on track, Kendall said that they still had to work to "deliver the full war-fighting capability required by all three services and our partners while we continue our successful efforts to drive cost out of the programme."

In addition to the US, a number of countries have signed up for the 5th generation vertical-takeoff and landing jet including the UK, Canada and Australia.

F-35 to eventually replace legacy aircraft

The Marines hope that the F-35 will eventually replace three legacy aircrafts including the 50 year-old AV-8B Harrier jump jet, the 30 year-old F/A-18 Hornet, and the EA-6B Prowler.

AV-8B Harrier jump jet. PHOTO: AFP

 

F/A-18 Hornet. PHOTO: AFP

 

EA-6B Prowler. PHOTO: AFP