The Marine Fighter
Attack Squadron 121, or VMFA-121, is the first operational F-35B squadron. The
fifth-generation fighters were designed to replace the branch's F/A-18 Hornets,
AV-8B Harriers and EA-6B Prowlers. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jake McClung
IWAKUNI,
Japan, Jan. 11 -- The U.S.
Marines have relocated the first operational F-35B Lightning II squadron from a
base in Arizona to Japan.
The relocation makes the Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni,
Japan, the first location to receive the branch's F-35 variant as part of the
plane's worldwide deployment capability.
Defense News reports 10
F-35Bs from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, or VMFA-121, departed for
Japan, and an additional six are scheduled to join them at a later date.
In a statement, the Marine Corps hailed the event as a milestone
for the F-35 program. The relocation follows the final testing period for the
5th-generation fighter, in which Marine Corps pilots operated F-35Bs in
Developmental Test III and the Lightning Carrier Proof of Concept Demonstration
aboard the USS America in October 2016.
The F-35B was designed
by Lockheed Martin and other industry partners to combine short takeoff and
vertical landing with stealth capabilities. The Marines plan to use the
fifth-generation fighter to replace its legacy fleet of F/A-18 Hornets, A-10
Thunderbolts, and various other aircraft.
Other operators include Italy and Britain.
The Air Force is expected to become the next U.S. armed service
to make an international deployment with its F-35 variant, and is eyeing a
relocation to Europe.
Emoticon Emoticon