FighterSweep Fans, it has officially happened! The United States Marine Corps has announced it’s first squadron of Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning IIs have reached IOC.
Is there a little bit of irony with yesterday being the Blue Moon? Has there been a great disturbance in The Force? Perhaps, but we’ll leave that alone for now. Today is for celebrating all of the hard working men and women from VMFA-121, the Department of the Navy, the Joint Program Office, and all others who had a hand in making this day a reality.
General Joseph Dunford, Commandant of the Marine Corps, had this to say about this tremendous milestone: “I am pleased to announce that VMFA-121 has achieved Initial Operational Capability in the F-35B, as defined by requirements outlined in the June 2014 Joint Report to Congressional Defense Committees.”
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 conducted its first operational F-35B Lighting II flight at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 21, 2013. “This flight not only marks the first local flight of the F-35B in Yuma, it marks the first time a flight was conducted with the Marine Corps, or any service branch, primarily responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft,†said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Scott, VMFA-121 commanding officer and a native of San Jose, Calif. “The success of the flight is a tribute the Marines of this squadron, their tremendous work getting to this point and to the field training detachment as well as the support from our higher headquarters at MAG-13, 3rd MAW and Headquarters Marine Corps.†(Photo by Lance Cpl. Uriel Avendano)
VMFA-121, known as the Green Knights, has a total of ten aircraft in the Block 2B configuration and has met the required parameters for performance envelope and weapons clearance, in addition to the training, sustainment capability, and infrastructure that would allow Marines to deploy to an austere forward operating site, or a ship.
Dunford continued, “It is capable of conducting Close Air Support, Offensive and Defensive Counter Air, Air Interdiction, Assault Support Escort and Armed Reconnaissance as part of a Marine Air Ground Task Force, or in support of the Joint Force.”
Third Marine Aircraft Wing’s first F-35B taxis in Fri., Nov. 16, 2012 at approximately 1 p.m. on the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma flightline. Piloted by F-35 pilot instructor Maj. A. C. Liberman, today’s arrival highlights next week’s official re-designation of Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121, an F/A-18 Hornet Squadron, as the world’s first operational F-35 squadron at MCAS Yuma. The F-35B accomplishes the multi-role, fifth-generation capabilities needed across the full spectrum of military operations to deter potential adversaries and protect our nation and its interests. Known as the F-35 Lightning II, the F-35B will eventually replace the Corps’ aging legacy tactical fleet of AV-8B Harriers, F/A-18 Hornets and EA-6B Prowlers. (Photo by Lcpl. William Waterstreet)
Prior to declaring IOC, the Marines conducted flight operations for seven weeks at sea, participated in multiple large force exercises, and executed a recent operational evaluation–which included multiple live ordnance drops.
Congratulations, Devil Dogs!