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Category: Marines

VMFA-242 to start operating F-35B from this month at Iwakuni, Japan

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A briefing by Japan’s Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau on Mar. 31 revealed that the U.S. Marine Corps’ VMFA-242 will start operating the F-35B at MCAS Iwakuni from this month.

An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, lands at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 18, 2017. VMFA-121 conducted a permanent change of station to MCAS Iwakuni, from MCAS Yuma, Ariz., and now belongs to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter, which is the world’s first operational supersonic short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft. The F-35B brings strategic agility, operational flexibility and tactical supremacy to III MEF with a mission radius greater than that of the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II in support of the U.S. – Japan alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

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USN says new small aircraft carrier unnecessary, L-class ships sufficient

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During a virtual Navy League event, Rear Adm. Gregory Harris, who heads the Air Warfare Division, says the service is unlikely to adopt the small aircraft carrier concept.

160918-N-BB269-036 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 18, 2016) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) fires a Sea Sparrow missile during a missile exercise during Valiant Shield 2016. Valiant Shield 16 is a biennial, U.S.-only, field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces. Germantown, part of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is participating in Valiant Shield in an effort to increase naval integration and joint capabilities in the event of conflict, contingency, or disaster relief. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Raymond D. Diaz III/Released)
160918-N-BB269-036 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 18, 2016) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) fires a Sea Sparrow missile during a missile exercise during Valiant Shield 2016. Valiant Shield 16 is a biennial, U.S.-only, field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces. Germantown, part of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is participating in Valiant Shield in an effort to increase naval integration and joint capabilities in the event of conflict, contingency, or disaster relief. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Raymond D. Diaz III/Released)

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Amazing photos of F-35B testing aboard ITS Cavour

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 15, 2021) A U.S. F-35B Lightning II aircraft takes off from the ski jump of the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550) March 15, 2021, in the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft, loaded with inert weapons, was conducting flight test to expand the safe flying envelope with external stores during sea trials for the fifth generation fighter aircraft and the upgraded Italian Navy flagship. Cavour just completed phase one of its two-phase Ready for Operations campaign. U.S. Navy photo by Dane Wiedmann

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