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Aviation News

Category: Marines

USMC issues RFI for shore-based, coastal anti-ship missile system

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The U.S. Marine Corps issued a Request for Information (RFI) on the Federal Business Opportunities website last month, soliciting information for “readily available shore-based, coastal” anti-ship missile system.

MOL - mobilni obalni lanser
By Suradnik13 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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VMFA-121 at MCAS Iwakuni is now at full strength

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All F-35Bs that VMFA-121 is suppose to deploy to Japan have arrived at MCAS Iwakuni on Nov. 9.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 arrives at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 9, 2017. The remaining aircraft represent the last installment of F-35B Lightning IIs assigned to VMFA-121. 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/video by Sgt. N.W. Huertas)
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 arrives at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 9, 2017. The remaining aircraft represent the last installment of F-35B Lightning IIs assigned to VMFA-121. 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/video by Sgt. N.W. Huertas)

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British F-35Bs train with Kfirs

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Airborne Tactical Advantage Company brought its Kfirs to MCAS Beaufort on Nov. 6 for two weeks of training with pilots from VMFAT-501. Interestingly, the F-35Bs sport British roundels.

An F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter takes off from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Nov. 6. The Airborne Tactical Advantage Company is training with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 for the next two weeks to support new and transition pilots in their certification for the F-35B. The pilot is with VMFAT-501, Marine Aircraft Group 31.
An F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter takes off from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Nov. 6. The Airborne Tactical Advantage Company is training with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 for the next two weeks to support new and transition pilots in their certification for the F-35B. The pilot is with VMFAT-501, Marine Aircraft Group 31.

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F-35Bs, F/A-18s based in Japan carried out night refueling exercise

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Together with KC-130J tankers from VMGR-152, F-35B and F/A-18 pilots assigned to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan practiced nighttime aerial refueling exercise Oct. 25-26.

An F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 based out of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, conducts a nighttime aerial refueling training operation with a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 based out of MCAS Iwakuni Oct. 25, 2017. The training was conducted at night to improve operational readiness and enhance pilot proficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)
An F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 based out of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, conducts a nighttime aerial refueling training operation with a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 based out of MCAS Iwakuni Oct. 25, 2017. The training was conducted at night to improve operational readiness and enhance pilot proficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

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