10 F-35Bs to be deployed to Japan in January 2017

Lt. Gen. Jon M. Davis, deputy commandant for aviation from the U.S. Marine Corps, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying that 10 F-35Bs will be deployed to Japan in January 2017.

F-35B Lightning of VMFAT-501 takes off from Eglin AFB 2013
By U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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Deck landing qualifications for VMM-265 (Rein.) as Bonhomme Richard ARG starts spring patrol

A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Feb. 6, 2016. The Marines of VMM-265 (Rein.), 31st MEU, were conducting deck landing qualifications with the various aircraft of the 31st MEU's aviation combat element. The 31st MEU is currently embarked on the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group on their spring deployment to the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Zachary Dyer)
A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Feb. 6, 2016. The Marines of VMM-265 (Rein.), 31st MEU, were conducting deck landing qualifications with the various aircraft of the 31st MEU’s aviation combat element. The 31st MEU is currently embarked on the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group on their spring deployment to the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Zachary Dyer)

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F-35 “is not capable of unsupported combat against any serious threat”

Bill Sweetman went thru the latest F-35 report from the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) and summarizes the key findings.

F-35 Lightning II variants in flight near Eglin AFB 2014
By U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Katerina Slivinske [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
By U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Katerina Slivinske [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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