Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

Six Marine Corps F-35Bs Go To Sea

May 19, 2015 Six Marine Corps F-35Bs Go To Sea
Scott Wolff 1 Comment News

On Monday, six F-35B Lightning IIs arrived aboard the USS Wasp for two weeks of sea trials. The two-week operational test mission fulfills a Marine Corps requirement before its first squadron of 10 F-35s reaches IOC, or Initial Operational Capability, later this summer.

Two of the jets come from MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, and the other four have made the journey out from MCAS Yuma, Arizona. The Wasp, an amphibious assault ship, is currently at sea off the coast of Virginia, and the test marks the first time this many F-35s have been aboard a US Navy vessel.

The scope of the test includes interoperability of the F-35 with daily flight deck movements and flying operations. The evolutions will also include the loading and unloading of various weapon configurations, integration of the jet’s digital communications with systems aboard the ship, and the ability of maintenance personnel to deal with both scheduled repairs and spur-of-the-moment troubleshooting.

The scope of the testing includes the Marine Corps pilots, maintenance personnel, and logistical support in both day and night operations, under all weather conditions.

Stay tuned for more from FighterSweep as the testing progresses!

(Photo Courtesy of the United States Marine Corps)

 

About the Author

Scott Wolff is an accomplished writer and renowned aviation photojournalist. He has held the position of Managing Editor for a print flying lifestyle magazine, and is the Host and Editor for FighterSweep. Scott's area of expertise is military flight operations, drawing on ten years of experience working extensively with all branches of the armed forces. He holds an FAA pilot certificate, the culmination of a life-long passion for flying airplanes. Scott has received military altitude chamber training, emergency egress training, and has logged time in a variety of civilian and military aircraft. He is also a member of the International Society of Aviation Photographers and Nikon Professional Services.

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

© Copyright 2025 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers