Marine F-35Bs Arrive on USS Wasp for First Shipboard Deployment
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The F-35B Joint Strike Fighter is deploying for the first time aboard a U.S. Navy ship, marking a historic milestone for the Pentagon's most lethal jet as the Marine-variant enters operational exercises in the Pacific.
The short takeoff/vertical landing F-35s from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 on Monday arrived on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp for patrols in the region, according to an announcement from the Navy's 7th Fleet.
The stealth jet's arrival also marks the start of the F-35's first deployment a Marine expeditionary unit. The squadron will sail the Pacific aboard the ships of the Okinawa-based 31st MEU this spring.
"Pairing F-35B Lightning II [aircraft] with the Wasp represents one of the most significant leaps in warfighting capability for the Navy-Marine Corps team in our lifetime," Rear Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 7, said in a statement. "This 5th-generation stealth jet is extremely versatile, and will greatly enhance and expand our operational capabilities."Way back in 74 we, VMA231, deployed our fairly new AV8A's on board the USS FDR for the Harriers 1st deployment on a USA war ship. We deployed with F4's, A6's & A7's. All of which, including the FDR have since been scrapped. Talk about getting old LOL....
