F-35C coming to MCAS Iwakuni after 2021

The U.S. Navy will deploy the F-35C carrier-borne stealth fighter to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan after 2021, a navy official told The Yomiuri Shimbun.

170907-N-CT127-0021 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)
170907-N-CT127-0021
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)

The unnamed official was quoted as saying that the F-35C will replace an F/A-18 Super Hornet squadron currently assigned to Carrier Air Wing 5.