VFA-147 will be the first operational F-35C squadron

The U.S. Navy has identified VFA-147 as the first squadron to transition to the F-35C in 2018. The announcement was made on Sept. 10 at the annual Tailhook Association convention in Reno, Nevada.

By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Kelly M. Agee [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Meanwhile, VFA-125 will stand up as the F-35C fleet replacement squadron on the West Coast this coming January.

VMFA-314 will be the second unit to switch to the carrier-borne variant in 2019.