Thirteen F-35C pilots had their carrier qualification aboard USS Abraham Lincoln from Aug. 30 to Sept. 7 and during this time, two airmen from the U.S. Air Force’s 33rd Maintenance Squadron were on board the carrier to qualify Abraham Lincoln sailors to operate F-35 support equipment as well.
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 7, 2017) An F-35C Lightning II assigned to the “Grim Reapers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA 101) prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is underway conducting training after its successful completion of carrier incremental availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Josue Escobosa/Released)
“We are the most qualified unit to (train these Sailors),” said Staff Sgt. Mark Gower, 33rd MXS wheel and tire technician. “We have been working with this jet the longest because the 33rd Fighter Wing was the first unit to receive the F-35 from the test community.”