A Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, conducts a vertical landing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 2, 2017. The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter, which is the world’s first operational supersonic short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
By: FEDweek StaffThe Marine Corps now has its first operational F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) squadron on the East Coast. Seapower magazine reported that the unit, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) achieved the capability early this month.
“VMFA-542 is the first operational fifth-generation squadron in II Marine Expeditionary Force, giving the aviation combat element the most lethal, survivable, and interoperable strike fighter in the U.S. inventory,” said Lt. Col. Brian Hansell, the squadron’s commander, according to Seapower. “The F-35B is unmatched in its capability to support Marines against the advanced threats that we can expect in the future.”
The achievement of operational status is the latest milestone along the path to achieving full operational capability for the F-35B, Seapower reported.
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