Four F-35B Lightning II aircraft perform a flyover above the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) on Nov. 20, 2016. US Navy Photo
The Trump administration’s focus on “America first” throws into question whether it would launch any new large-scale international joint development programs such as the F-35, a former under secretary of defense for policy said Monday. Read More
Donald Trump speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at Fountain Park in Fountain Hills, Ariz. in March. Photo by Gage Skidmore
A change in military strategy “could dramatically change” what the military buys under the Trump Administration, a panel of budget and defense experts said today. Read More
The following is Jan. 18, 2017 footage of two F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters arriving at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Read More
An F-35C Lightning II, attached to the Grim Reapers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101, taxis about Naval Air Station Fallon on Dec. 16, 2016. US Navy Photo
The first F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters will arrive on the West Coast next week as the Navy prepares to ramp up its training pipeline for the next-generation stealth jet designed for carrier operations, Navy officials announced Tuesday. Read More
USS AMERICA, At Sea – An F-35B Lightning II aircraft completes Envelope Expansion Testing during a Short Take-off Vertical Landing aboard USS America, Oct. 30, 2016. US Marine Corps Photo
This post has been updated with an additional comment from VMFA-121’s operation officer.
Ten of the Marine Corps’ newest fighter jets took off from the runway at Yuma Marine Corps Air Station, Ariz., on Monday and began the long trans-Pacific flight to their squadron’s new home in Japan, service officials announced today. Read More
FA-18A++ Hornets with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron(VMFA) 314, forward based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, are lined up on the flightline at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, during the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise March 7-18, 2016. US Marine Corps photo.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate and House armed services committees have agreed upon a compromise National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 that prioritizes higher personnel and readiness levels over procurement of ships and aircraft. Read More
Two F-35B Joint Strike Fighters arrive aboard USS America for STOVL Developmental Test-III, 28 October 2016. US Navy photo.
An F-35B Joint Strike Fighter with the Marine Corps’ training squadron experienced a fire in its weapons bay during a training mission on Oct. 27, and the service is still investigating, according to a statement provided to USNI News. Read More
U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallions assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) fly in formation during FINEX-3 near Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 22, 2016. FINEX-3 was part of Weapons Tactics Instructors (WTI) course 1-17, a seven week training event hosted by MAWTS-1 cadre which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force. US Marine Corps photo.
This article is the second in a two-part series on the future of Marine Corps aviation. To read about how F-35B Joint Strike Fighter testers and operational pilots are preparing for the plane’s first deployment, please click this link.
YUMA, Ariz. – In a glimpse of what the future of Marine Corps aviation could bring, this fall F-35B Joint Strike Fighters were operating at long ranges with the MV-22 Osprey, passing information to other aircraft and to ground forces with tablets. Unmanned aerial vehicles provided intelligence, and precision rockets hit targets in dense urban areas.
At Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-One (MAWTS-1) and its semi-annual Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course, top aviators from around the fleet not only trained to high-end warfighting scenarios but also help advance tactics to keep up with real-world developments and conduct experiments with emerging technologies that could give Marines in the air and on the ground an edge on the battlefield. Read More
Peter “Wizzer” Wilson and Maj. John Dirk arrive aboard USS America for STOVL DT-III, 28 October 2016. US Navy photo.
This article is the first in a two-part series on the future of Marine Corps aviation. To read about how MAWTS-1 is discovering how to best integrate the F-35B and other weapons systems for a high-end air fight, please click this link.
ABOARD USS AMERICA, OFF THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA – After years of testing to make sure the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and its subsystems work as designed, the Marine Corps has a contingent of pilots and maintainers aboard USS America (LHA-6) now to ensure the new plane can operate from the amphibious ship, in a final test period ahead of next year’s first deployment. Read More
U.S. Marine Forces Europe and Africa deputy director of communication Master Sgt. Chad E. McMeen uses a commercial-grade Quadcopter to capture aerial video footage of the USNS William R. Button on the pier in Rota, Spain, during the preparation phase of Trident Juncture 2015.US Army photo.
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Marine Corps recently launched three major innovation efforts that are already informing the service’s unmanned systems’ priorities, the deputy commandant for combat development and integration said today. Read More
