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usafphantom2 · 3 months ago

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Marines hit operational status with second carrier-capable F35-C unit

Todd SouthJul 31, 2024 at 04:56 PM

A West Coast Marine F-35C Lightning II squadron has achieved initial operational capability.

The Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, hit that key milestone Wednesday, 1st Lt. Madison Walls, wing spokeswoman told Marine Corps Times. The status means a unit can employ, maintain and train on the jet.

The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, unit conducted its first independent live ordnance operations July 25.

“Initial operational capability is a milestone and achievement in readiness,” said Lt. Col. Michael Fisher, commanding officer of VMFA-311 in a statement. “It’s all on the backs of the Marines out there. What they do in their day-to-day actions is what made this possible.”

The squadron, also known as the Tomcats, flew more than 900 sorties, which equals nearly 1,700 flight hours and another 800 simulator hours and 2,400 maintenance actions to reach initial operational capability, according to a service release.

“The Tomcats have a storied history that includes legends such as Ted Williams and John Glenn, and participation in every major conflict since World War II,” Maj. Gen. James Wellons, commanding general of 3rd MAW, said in the release. “Today’s Marines add another chapter to that legacy with the introduction of the F-35C and fifth-generation capabilities to VMFA-311.”

Marine Corps Cpl. Larry Casas, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, directs Capt. Joshua G. Falgoust, an F-35C Lightning II pilot. (Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez/Marine Corps)

In 2020, the squadron deactivated its AV-8 Harrier jets and then reactivated in April 2023 with 84 Marines and one F-35, reflecting the Marine Corps’ move to fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The transition has resulted in a gradual reduction in Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets.

The Corps’ two F-35C squadrons, VMFA-311 and VMFA-314, are both stationed at Miramar.

The VMFA-314, or Black Knights, reached initial operational capability in 2020, Marine Corps Times previously reported.

The F-35C is specifically engineered for carrier-based operations, featuring heavier landing gear and enlarged, foldable wings designed to facilitate catapult launches and arrestments on aircraft carriers. The foldable wingtips also facilitate easier storage on the carrier deck.

The “C” variant holds more fuel than other versions of the single-seat jet, with nearly 20,000 pounds of internal fuel capacity for long-range flights.

“The next step for VMFA-311 is full operational capability, attained when VMFA-311 receives its complete inventory of ten F-35C aircraft, projected for fiscal year 2025,” according to the release.

The Marine Corps has used the F-35B for years. The “B” variant, built to use short runways and flat-decked amphibious assault ships, is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings.

Currently, the Corps has eight operational F-35B squadrons and two training squadrons, totaling over 100 F-35B aircraft globally.

Todd South has written about crime, courts, government and the military for multiple publications since 2004 and was named a 2014 Pulitzer finalist for a co-written project on witness intimidation. Todd is a Marine veteran of the Iraq War.

@DefenseNews.com

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sa7abnews · 3 months ago

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Iran beware: US moves these 6 top of the line strike options into position in the Middle East

New Post has been published on https://sa7ab.info/2024/08/16/iran-beware-us-moves-these-6-top-of-the-line-strike-options-into-position-in-the-middle-east/

Iran beware: US moves these 6 top of the line strike options into position in the Middle East

Hurry up. America’s top shooters are moving into position to target Iran. With Sunday night’s announcement hastening the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and moving the submarine USS Georgia under U.S. Central Command’s control, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is making sure U.S. Central Command is prepared to attack Iran, and/or its proxies, if Tehran strikes Israel in the next few days.Air Force F-22 fighter jet pilots have already unpacked their bags at a Middle East base where they arrived Aug 8. Here are more top shooters under Central Command’s operational control – that we know of. It’s very unusual for the Pentagon to make announcements about secretive submarines. But then, the USS Georgia is a very special vessel. Powered by a nuclear reactor, the USS Georgia began life as an Ohio-class “boomer” designed to carry nuclear weapons, then underwent a high-tech conversion into a conventional guided-missile attack submarine. Now she can carry an astounding 154 precision Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles. And SEAL teams with mini-submarines. Add in a highly advanced communication suite, and USS Georgia can stare down Iran all by herself. US ASSETS DEPLOYED TO MIDEAST WILL HELP ISRAEL BUT WILL UNLIKELY ALTER IRAN’S MIND ON RETALIATION, EXPERTS SAYThe USS Georgia was already on exercises in Europe and is positioning in the Eastern Mediterranean. Her Tomahawk missiles have roughly a 1,000-mile range, which equates to good coverage well into Iran. The most modern Tomahawks also accept targeting updates while in flight, giving commanders maximum flexibility to act on fresh intelligence. That’s six in the Persian Gulf, and two more in the Red Sea, per a count from the Washington Post on Aug. 2. Crews from ships like USS Laboon have been whacking Houthi drones, missiles and unmanned boats for months. The DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers can fire Tomahawks, too, as but the destroyers will have some of their vertical launch tubes loaded with Standard Missiles for air defense across the region, as seen when Iran attacked Israel back in April. Austin ordered the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to speed up its transit from the Pacific to the Middle East, where the USS Theodore Roosevelt is already running sustained flight operations. Nuclear-powered carriers can charge ahead at 35 knots per hour without slacking off, since they don’t refuel. The Middle East crisis has compelled Central Command to keep a carrier in the Red Sea area almost non-stop for 10 months and it has required four carriers – Ford, Eisenhower, Roosevelt and Lincoln – to meet the tasking. Moving the Lincoln actually leaves the Navy one carrier short in the Pacific. IRAN IS LIKELY WEIGHING ‘RISK OF FAILURE’ BEFORE POTENTIAL ISRAEL STRIKE: JOSEPH VOTELAustin touted the F-35Cs on the Lincoln by name on Sunday, because these stealthy, carrier-based jets have tremendous radar and other sensor capabilities known to intimidate Iran. In an unusual twist, it’s a U.S. Marine Corps squadron flying the F-35Cs. Other Marines fly the F-35B vertical take-off and landing variant with amphibious ships. But this squadron, the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA 314, trains and flies as part of Carrier Air Wing 9. (Don’t look so shocked. Marines flew from carriers in World War II and Korea.)Yes, the very jet flown by Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick.” Carrier Air Wing 11 on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt has three F/A-18E squadrons. They have been busy day and night with air patrols against Houthi aggression in the Red Sea and doing their part in knocking out Houthi drones, missiles and unmanned boats. This ground-attack variant of the F-15 air superiority fighter is affectionately known as the “Mud Eagle” and has been operating quietly in theater for ages. The F-15Es are true fighter-bombers, and their most experienced pilots have thousands of combat hours from the anti-ISIS war. The two-seat F-15Es carry air-to-air missiles, a gun and “any nuclear or conventional weapon in the USAF inventory.” Just so you know, Iran.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONAustin’s choice to deploy America’s top of the line strike options serves two purposes. The first, obviously, is to deter Iran and constrain Iran’s tactical options as the mullahs mull their retaliation plans. But the specific choice of these forces is to provide Central Command with capability for sustained, precision strikes against military targets in Iran or among Iran’s militia groups.Don’t forget that U.S. B-2 bombers can reach any spot on the globe. Also, B-1 bombers were used by Central Command in attacks on Syrian targets. I would not be surprised to see the B-1s in action again with their joint stand-off missiles.Beyond this, expect Britain, France, regional allies like Jordan, and others to have forces in play.Of course, China is taking note of this firepower display. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a statement on Saturday supporting Iran’s “dignity” and right to self-defense, whatever that means. Iran is the center of Mideast terror and China is Iran’s top ally. Gen. Erik Kurilla at U.S. Central Command will soon have all he needs to defend, deter or strike back. As they strive to keep a lid on this crisis, we owe a big debt of gratitude to the American men and women making these crisis deployments in the Middle East. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM REBECCA GRANT

#6788dd57-5882-57bb-be95-29c4e1317ca4

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whatisonthemoon · 1 year ago

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U.S., Philippines Kick off Largest-ever Balikatan Exercise as Defense, Foreign Affairs Leaders Meet in Washington (April 11, 2023)

▲ U.S. Marines with 3rd Landing Support Battalion, Army Soldiers, Navy Sailors, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines listen during a rehearsal of concept brief in preparation for Balikatan 23 at Camp Agnew, Casigueran, Philippines on April 4, 2023.

from USNI news by Rene Acosta and John Grady

MANILA – The Philippines and the United States began the largest iteration of Balikatan, the annual military exercise involving Filipino and American troops, during a Tuesday ceremony at the Philippine military’s general headquarters of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino opened the exercise on Tuesday as defense and foreign affairs officials also met for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington D.C., to discuss the direction of the alliance between the two countries.

“For the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in particular, this year’s Balikatan Exercise is most timely as we fast-track the enhancement of our capabilities for maritime security and domain awareness, as well as our employment concept of newly acquired equipment and weapon systems under our modernization program and application of newly developed doctrines – with the end-in-view of projecting a credible defense posture,” Centino said.

More than 17,600 American, Filipino and Australian sailors, Marines, soldiers and airmen will participate in the exercise, Enrique Manolo, secretary of foreign affairs, said in Washington, D.C., on Monday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The exercise illustrates the importance Manila places on internal security, Manolo said, and signifies another step in modernizing the more than 70-year-old alliance between the United States and the Philippines.

The increased emphasis on interoperability required to address new security challenges, primarily coming from Beijing, facing the alliance allows Manila “to shore up our defensive posture.”

“Balikatan provides unparalleled opportunities to demonstrate the strength and readiness of the Philippine-U.S. security alliance,” Lt. Col. Daniel Huvane, Balikatan Combined Joint Information Director, said in a news release from the American embassy in Manila.

Last year’s drills saw about 9,000 military participants in the annual exercise that began in 1991.

Philippine military public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said the 38th iteration of the bilateral exercise highlights four major events – a command post exercise, cyber defense exercise, field training exercise and humanitarian civic assistance.

Weeks before the exercise, the Philippine military said that this year’s phase would be the biggest, as U.S. armaments will even be in full use, including the Patriot and Avenger missiles and HIMARS.

This coming Thursday, U.S. and Filipino troops will also conduct a live firing of the U.S. anti-tank weapon Javelin, still as part of the recently concluded phase one of the U.S.-Philippines “Salaknib” exercise, which involved the Philippine Army and the U.S. Army in the Indo-Pacific, according to Philippine Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad.

An F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Figther, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sits parked on the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during a scheduled port visit at Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo April 5, 2023. US Navy PhotoOn the eve of Balikatan’s opening, Filipino and American soldiers trained together in “bunker and room-clearing” operations as part of the opening salvo at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

“This year’s Balikatan will be the biggest ever, an indication of the growth of our alliance and how it continues to evolve to meet our shared goals,” Heather Variava, U.S. Chargé d’affaires in Manilla said on Tuesday. Baclor said the participating forces will enhance their joint and combined capabilities in maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire exercise, urban operations, aviation operations, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The Philippines emphasized the importance of Balikatan to both U.S. and the Philippine forces, as Licudine said it builds “interoperability, enhances capabilities, and demonstrates mutual defense of the Philippine sovereign territory.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared: “Balikatan is an important opportunity to train shoulder-to-shoulder and build trust and confidence that enable our forces to respond to crises and contingencies as a team.” In Washington D.C., Filipino Department of National Defense Officer in Charge Carlito Galvez and Enrique Manolo held the 2+2 meeting with Austin and U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. The U.S. State Department in a statement issued ahead of the meeting said Blinken and Austin would reaffirm Washington’s ironclad commitment to its alliance with the Philippines, which it said has “contributed to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”

Speaking at CSIS on Monday, Manalo reiterated the distance between the Philippines and Taiwan – about 90 miles – where tensions have been rapidly rising between the United States and China over the future of the self-governing island.

Chinese naval militia continue to harass and ram Filipino fishermen working in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, he said. Beijing warships and coast guard vessels are ignoring a 2016 international tribunal’s ruling dismissing its claims to much of the South China Sea. The Chinese are treating the region as its sovereign territory.

Beijing has built at least seven artificial islands on coral reefs that are capable of supporting maritime operations and military airfields. One of those man-made islands is in the Spratlys, off the coasts of the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Manolo added, “we feel the United States is an important partner” militarily and economically. He noted several times at the CSIS event the importance of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with Washington in keeping the Indo-Pacific a safe and secure environment for maritime commerce. He indicated that the United States and other nations, possibly Japan and Australia, may soon begin conducting joint maritime patrol operations with the Philippines to secure its expansive ocean borders.

Manolo added that the Philippines has the fourth largest coastline in the world, and it’s hard to secure but vital to economic development. The secretary added that Manila also looks to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, as a forum to resolve differences peacefully. The association is developing guidelines on acceptable international behavior and mechanisms to avoid conflict in territorial and trade disputes. China is a member.

Included in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)were arrangements for the United States to establish nine facilities for future American operations. He said he will discuss what activities will be allowed at the last four added in the arrangement during the meeting in Washington with his counterpart, Blinken, and the two nations’ secretaries of defense.

The “2 Plus 2” meetings had been shelved for seven years when then-President Rodrigo Duerte promised he’d shift security priorities away from the United States and more toward China to bolster Manila’s sovereignty in regional politics.

A September meeting in New York between President Joe Biden and newly installed President Ferdinand Marcos that led to the new defense agreement clearly demonstrated the shift back toward the United States.

“We obviously have to work [WITH?] them,” Manolo said, referring to China. “Equity in the maritime commons” is a foreign policy goal as Manila is “on the threshold” of becoming a regional economic power. He welcomed public and private assistance in filling infrastructure needs for future development and growth. He pointed to how important Manila can be in delivering clean energy renewables with investments made to explore its deposits of important raw earth and other green minerals.

“Multilateralism must thrive” to avoid conflict, said Manolo.

But “we want to make [discussions with China] compatible with the U.S. alliance.”

Notes and links below

Japan to join Salaknib drills between PH, US armies - “Japan is joining a large-scale joint exercise between the Philippine and US armies for the first time, a top military official said, in the latest of the emerging trilateral defense partnership of the three nations.A handful of observers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will participate in Salaknib (shield in the Ilocano dialect) — an annual exercise led by the Philippine Army to strengthen the readiness and interoperability with its counterparts from the United States — which will kick off next week.”

Stop US and Chinese aggression in the Philippines! Turn imperialist wars into wars against imperialism! The US is complicit in war crimes

The WACL and CAUSA’s Role in the Ruthless Violence of US-Philippines Counterinsurgency

Death Squads in the Philippines by Doug Cunningham

Those Spared in Duterte’s “War on Drugs” May Go to Moonie Rehabilitation

#imperialism #inter-imperialism #china #u.s.a.#united states of america #the philippines #philippines #ecda #enhanced defense cooperation agreement #military #u.s. military #armed forces of the philippines #afp #balikatan

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rjbailey · 5 years ago

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190930-N-DX072-1164 by U.S. Pacific Fleet Via Flickr: 190930-N-DX072-1164 CELEBES SEA (Sept. 30, 2019) An assault amphibious vehicle assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division departs the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) during exercise Tiger Strike 2019. Tiger Strike focuses on strengthening combined U.S. and Malaysian military interoperability and increasing combat readiness through amphibious operations and cultural exchanges between the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps team. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anaid Banuelos Rodriguez)

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j-r-macready · 3 years ago

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210718-N-XB010-1025 by U.S. Pacific Fleet Via Flickr: CORAL SEA (July 18, 2021) An MV-22B Osprey aircraft carrying Capt. Greg Baker, Commodore, Amphibious Squadron 11, and Col. Michael R. Nakonieczny, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), approaches the USS New Orleans (LPD 18) flight deck. New Orleans, part of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the 31st MEU, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Desmond Parks)

#lpd 18; uss new orleans; 2021; us 7th fleet; ctf 76; 31st marine #Coral Sea

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bountyofbeads · 5 years ago

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How U.S. Troops Are Preparing for the Worst in the Middle East https://nyti.ms/2ZVJwO1

How U.S. Troops Are Preparing for the Worst in the Middle East

The Pentagon has directed about 4,500 troops to the region atop the roughly 50,000 already there as tensions rise with Iran. They are reinforcing their outposts, bases and airfields.

By Thomas GIBBONS-NEFF | Published

Jan. 6, 2020, 4:33 p.m. ET | New York Times | Posted January 6, 2020 |

WASHINGTON — American military units stationed in Iraq and Syria are readying for attacks from either Iranian forces or their proxies after the drone strike that killed a senior Iranian general last week.

It is unclear what an Iranian retaliatory attack would look like after the death of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, an Iranian security and intelligence commander responsible for the deaths of hundreds of troops over the years, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a powerful Iraqi militia commander and government official.

But, already, American forces in the region are reinforcing their outposts, bases and airfields.

The Pentagon has directed about 4,500 additional troops to the region atop the roughly 50,000 already there. Here’s how it breaks down.

New Deployments to Iraq and Kuwait

The influx of new forces was prompted by several events: the death of an American contractor in Iraq during a rocket attack on Dec. 27 carried out by an Iranian-backed militia; protests around the United States Embassy in Baghdad afterward, following a series of American airstrikes on the militia; and last week’s drone strike on General Suleimani and Mr. al-Muhandis.

The new troops will act primarily as a defensive force, meant to reinforce American bases and compounds in the region and respond to a possible attack. No major ground offensives are planned for them.

Which Units Are Deploying

Roughly 4,000 troops — a brigade — from the 82nd Airborne Division based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., have started deploying to Kuwait. They are part of the division’s global response force, kept on standby for particular emergencies. A senior United States military officer said the deployment of the 82nd Airborne paratroopers and other ground forces was defensive, meant to position more troops in the Middle East who could be quickly deployed to defend or reinforce American embassies, consulates and military bases.

Roughly 100 other paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based out of Vicenza, Italy, will also deploy to the Middle East, according to a Defense Department official. Stars and Stripes first reported the deployment.

The officer noted that the planning for any larger conflict with Iran does not envision a vast land invasion like in the 1991 Persian Gulf war or the 2003 Iraq war. Instead, any prolonged conflict would rely more on air and naval forces, as well as cyberattacks, to hit Iranian targets or Iranian proxies, the officer said.

Other units include around 100 Marines from the Second Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment. The company-size contingent is deployed to Kuwait as part of a special purpose task force meant to respond to emergencies in the Middle East. The Marines, fresh off helping American forces withdraw from northeastern Syria, are reinforcing dozens of security personnel positioned at the American Embassy in Baghdad. The compound is large, more than 100 acres, with guard posts, living areas, dining halls and small shops.

Around 100 Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment deployed shortly after last week’s drone strike. The Rangers, part of the secretive Joint Special Operations Command, most likely will act as a reaction force if any Iranian-backed forces launch a concerted attack on an American position, according to one Defense Department official.

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit includes roughly 2,200 Marines and sailors, composed of an infantry battalion, logistics unit and a squadron of aircraft, namely transport helicopters and attack jets. They are aboard Navy ships in the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, made up of around 2,000 sailors, and are steaming toward the Middle East as part of a previously scheduled deployment.

These Marine Expeditionary Units have long served as a global response force. Often their deployments in the Persian Gulf have found them supporting operations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.

The Troops Already in the Region

There are between 45,000 and 65,000 American military personnel — the number can vary by the day — now deployed in Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf nations, including around 5,500 troops in Iraq and 600 in Syria.

In response to Iranian attacks and provocations since May, the Pentagon deployed about 14,000 additional troops to the Persian Gulf region, including roughly 3,500 more to Saudi Arabia. The military assets include early warning aircraft, maritime patrol planes, Patriot air and missile defense batteries, B-52 bombers, a carrier strike group, armed Reaper drones and other engineering and support personnel.

Roughly 2,000 American troops are in Turkey, mostly based at Incirlik Air Base. Despite recent tensions with the fellow NATO country, the United States has continued to use the airfield. American aircraft launched hundreds of combat sorties from the base at the height of the conflict against the Islamic State in 2016 and 2017.

Bahrain is home to the headquarters of the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which commands warships patrolling the region.

In Qatar, the sprawling Al Udeid base is home to around 10,000 troops. It is the headquarters for American air operations in the region, and hosts a fleet of midair refueling tankers, along with reconnaissance and bomber aircraft.

WHAT THEY DO

At any given time, the American forces in the region act much like the central nervous system for America’s long wars since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The soldiers, sailors, Marines and aircrew members run key headquarters. They resupply the roughly 12,000 to 13,000 troops in Afghanistan, and launch hundreds of surveillance missions across the region. They train local forces.

And, until Sunday, when the American-led mission in Iraq and Syria halted its campaign against the Islamic State to focus on protecting its forces from potential attack, it battled the militant group to its near demise. Allied nations, such as Canada, also stopped their operations, giving the terrorist group an opportunity to either stage more attacks or at least recuperate.

The number of troops in the region changes substantially depending on the presence of an aircraft carrier strike group (currently the Truman), and whether a large group of Marines is afloat in those waters. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is likely to soon pass through the Mediterranean, according to U.S. Naval Institute’s fleet tracker, and head toward the Red Sea.

The aircraft carrier Truman will be in the region until sometime in February or March, when it will either be replaced or supported by the carrier Eisenhower after it arrives from the Mediterranean.

Aircrews assigned to the Eisenhower already have been briefed on launching potential long-range bombing missions.

_______

Eric Schmitt contributed reporting.

*********

The Day After War Begins in Iran

The outpouring of grief for Qassim Suleimani is the country’s first act of retaliation.

By Azadeh Moaveni, Ms. Moaveni is a writer and an analyst with the International Crisis Group | Published

Jan. 6, 2020 | New York Times | Posted January 6, 2020 |

The last time I wrote seriously about a war with Iran was in 2012. It had been an especially fraught year, with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards running naval exercises in the Persian Gulf, Israel and the United States conducting joint drills, and the safety of oil shipping lanes looking entirely unassured. Oil prices rattled skittishly, everyone suddenly monitored ships, and headlines speculated that Israel might attack Iran’s nuclear sites.

My assignment was to consider “the day after” — to imagine how Iranians would react if their country was bombed by Israel. My piece featured scenes of distraught young people gathering on crowded intersections singing the national anthem — suddenly everyone was a terrified Iranian citizen rather than an aspiring guitarist or a day laborer or whatever they were the day before — and a screaming mother buying formula to stockpile from a supermarket. I don’t even remember writing it. How many times can you write, predict and analyze your country’s destruction before your mind begins to dissolve the traces?

That rehearsal feels like it was all in preparation for today. Last week an American drone strike incinerated Iran’s top general and national war hero Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, along with a senior Iraqi militia commander, in what can only be understood as an act of war.

Being here again makes me feel that I — an American citizen of Iranian origin — have been here so often before. The cycles of imminent war and upheaval Iranians seem destined to face every few years, cycles often driven by the whims of the United States and the increasing boldness of Iran, now feel like a civilizational inheritance, a legacy that my mother bore before me, her mother before her, and that I will pass down to my children. Every Iranian family’s history is touched with this past, in its own way.

The American-backed 1953 coup destroyed both my grandfather and great uncle’s careers, until then in service of the government, and sent the latter into exile. America’s support for, and then eventual abandonment of, the Shah helped shape the 1979 revolution, disrupted all of our lives, with the new authorities expropriating our assets, and landing an uncle in prison for belonging to that educated, pro-Western class that built modern Iran and saw the revolution as its demise.

The years that followed only deepened the American-Iranian chasm. There was the 1979-81 hostage crisis at the American Embassy in Tehran, which killed nobody in the end but poisoned relations to this day. The United States scarcely concealed its support for Iraq in the devastating years of the Iran-Iraq War. And in 1988, as the war dragged to a close, continued skirmishing resulted in the U.S. Navy shooting down an Iranian passenger plane flying over Iran’s territorial waters, killing 290 people. Deeply regrettable, lamented President Ronald Reagan, but honors and medals for the naval officers.

For decades now, the United States has often seemed driven to hurt Iran, at times through interventionist policies that were careless and transactional, and then after 1979, with a fierce determination out of proportion to whatever challenge the new system posed.

At a certain point, Iran started retaliating: In the 1980s, it cultivated regional groups and militias hostile to Washington, and encouraged them to take Westerners hostages and staged attacks through these networks. In later years, Iran challenged American roles in wars in the region and interventions in bordering countries — the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003 — by backing nonstate allies that rose to become formidable powers in their own right. This lifted Tehran’s game of asymmetrical leverage into a regional influence it had probably never conceived of achieving. General Suleimani was behind much of this strategy.

Many consider him responsible for the deaths of thousands, for his intervention in salvaging Bashar al-Assad’s rule in Syria. But to many Iranians, Iraqis, Kurds and others, he was a pivotal figure in vanquishing the Islamic State, helping repel its rapid march across Iraq in 2014. In Syria, for the many Syrians who endured the industrial-scale brutality of the Assad regime, the general led what could only be understood as an offensive force. But Iran’s leaders always reminded their people that Syria, the lone Arab country that sided with Iran during the eight-year Iran-Iraq War, could not be abandoned, that without it, Iran would be vastly more vulnerable in the region.

It is for these maneuvers, in part to provide Iran some deterrence against relentless American hostility, that General Suleimani is remembered. He had become a patriarch for an ambivalent country adrift, forgiven, at least by the hundreds of thousands who turned out for his funeral, for the hard excesses of the force he commanded because he secured the land in a time of the Islamic State’s butchery, seen as a man of honor and merit among political contemporaries who were usually neither. (Of course, he certainly did not impress all Iranians in this way; he had detractors who did not support his regional stratagems.)

Iran’s leaders have rallied around his legacy; Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “severe revenge” and assured that his killing would “double” resistance against the United States and Israel. Even the reformist cleric Mehdi Karroubi, an octogenarian who is confined under permanent house arrest, issued condolences.

Beyond this official show of unity, newspapers across the political spectrum darkened their front pages, and ran full-cover photos of General Suleimani in all his guises, from brassy military uniform to slick dark suit jacket, with even the most liberal-minded running lachrymose headlines like “the sorrow is inconceivable.”

“What to do with a thorn lodged in the heart? Is this the fate of all the distinguished descendants of this land, regardless of thought and affiliation?” wrote Iran’s most prominent and oft-censored contemporary novelist, Mahmoud Dowlatabadi, of the man he said “built a powerful dam against the bloodthirsty onslaught of ISIS and secured our borders from their calamity.”

Iranians have turned out to mourn him on an extraordinary scale, in scenes unmatched since the funeral of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini himself in 1989. A sea of people fills Isfahan’s 17th Century central square, the seat of Persian history, and pours across the bridges and streets of Ahvaz, men and women from all backgrounds of Iranian society.

The mourning for the general, it could be said, is Iran’s first act of retaliation: what amounts to an extraordinary four-day state funeral in not one but two countries. The cavalcade has twinned two nations in shared public grief and indignation, as the procession moved deliberately across a crescent of Shiite historical memory. First came the cities of the Iraqi south that Saddam Hussein kept cowed and squalid, the holy shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala, through to the Iranian province of Khuzestan, which saw the bloodiest fighting of the Iran-Iraq war, an indigenously Arab region where mourning congregations chant in Arabic, and whose inclusion in this spectacle of transnational identity and power has clear unifying purpose.

Nearly 40 years ago, General Suleimani began his career in the trenches of the Iran-Iraq War, the formative drama of the Islamic Republic, where heroism was applauded by most Iranians who felt their country was the victim of external attack and isolation. Today’s Iranians, who will most suffer whatever fallout there is from his death, remain economically blockaded, in a suspended state of siege in all but name. Their country remains, by the design of American policy, sanctioned and cash-strapped, their horizons and potential extinguished by visa bans, medicine shortages and inflation. Pinned between a system that increasingly feels it has little to lose, and the all-out vengeance of a zero-plan United States, Iran has endured what feels like a war economy for decades.

I remember as a child, during the years of war with Iraq, my mother telling me about relatives in Iran who gave away their jewelry to aid the war effort. This time, in the face of President Trump’s tweets threatening to attack Iran and destroy its sites of cultural heritage, I needn’t conjure the unity that comes the day after. The country has gathered to mourn. It is already here.

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Azadeh Moaveni (@AzadehMoaveni) is a senior gender analyst with the International Crisis Group and the author, most recently, of “Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS.”

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usafphantom2 · 3 years ago

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VIDEO: F-35B fighter lands on the USS Tripoli for the first time

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 01/19/2012 - 09:51 am in Military, Videos

An F-35B Lighting II fighter of Marine Attack Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 122 landed on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) on January 11, marking the first time the ship received the new fifth-generation fighter on board.

The USS Tripoli has been constantly operating and training the crew in preparation for ongoing flight operations with VMFA-122, which culminated in the certification of the ship's fixed wing wing.

"That's what Tripoli was built for," said Captain Joel Lang, commander of Tripoli. “The crew and support organizations have worked incredibly hard to get us to the point where we can launch and recover aircraft, facing all the challenges the Navy has placed before them since we commissioned. I'm extremely proud of what we've achieved."

Tripoli is currently underway after entering service in July 2020 and completing the final tests of the contractor in August 2021.

The ship was specifically designed to improve Marine Corps aviation, allowing the operation of inclined rotor MV-22 Ospreys and the F-35B from its flight deck. Compared to conventional amphibious assault ships, the first two America-class ships sacrifice the well deck in favor of an expanded hangar, realignment and expansion of aviation maintenance facilities, a significant increase in the available stock of parts and equipment and an increase in aviation fuel capacity.

Despite its design, bringing the F-35B aircraft to the ship required a lot of coordination between Tripoli and the marines operating the fighter.

“It was an honor to support Tripoli in holding such an important event,” said Major Randy Brazile, landing signaling officer embarked on VMFA-225. “Marines and pilots of the VMFA-122 and (Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron) VMX-1 are excited to see Tripoli get its fixed-wing flight certification.”

The sailors who make up the flight deck crew trained their entire careers to perform flight operations and worked efficiently and safely to meet this milestone.

“Everything flowed perfectly,” said Paul Salame, a 1st class aviation sailor. "We did everything we did. I managed to launch the first jet from Tripoli; it was a good feeling. We are all very excited to do it again.”

As the crew crowded the row on deck, others watched flight operations on one of the ship's monitors, with palpable emotion throughout the command.

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“The crew sacrificed time away from their families and friends to fulfill our mission,” Lang said. “Days like today prove that the time these families gave us is not wasted.”

Tags: Military AviationLockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIaircraft carrierUSMC - United States Marine Corps

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. Uses Canon equipment during his photographic work throughout the world of aviation

Cavok Brazil - Digital Tchê Web Creation

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sa7abnews · 3 months ago

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Iran beware: US moves these 6 top of the line strike options into position in the Middle East

New Post has been published on https://sa7ab.info/2024/08/13/iran-beware-us-moves-these-6-top-of-the-line-strike-options-into-position-in-the-middle-east/

Iran beware: US moves these 6 top of the line strike options into position in the Middle East

#6788dd57-5882-57bb-be95-29c4e1317ca4

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getgamez · 5 years ago

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Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail

.ugb-c1cae0c .ugb-video-popup__wrapper{max-width:1774px;border-radius:25px;background-color:#1b2838;background-image:url(https://getgamez.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Ultimate-Admiral-Age-of-Sail.jpg)}.ugb-c1cae0c .ugb-video-popup__play-button svg{fill:#ffffff !important}.ugb-c1cae0c .ugb-video-popup__wrapper:before{background-color:#1b2838;opacity:0.3}.ugb-c1cae0c .ugb-video-popup__wrapper:hover:before{opacity:0.6}.ugb-c1cae0c.ugb-video-popup{margin-top:-7px !important}@media screen and (max-width:768px){.ugb-c1cae0c .ugb-video-popup__wrapper{max-width:242px;height:180px !important}} Game Overview A TRULY UNIQUE NAVAL WARGAME EXPERIENCE Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail is a unique wargame allowing you to experience the best of the Ultimate Series AI and tactical engine in naval, land and combined arms landing operations, witnessing the birth of the marines. The early access edition will feature two campaigns: for Britain or the United States; each with 30 sea and land battles across 3 chapters. During Early Access we plan to expand both campaigns with two additional chapters that will each include about 15 new battles. Taking the role of a famous commander, you will be at the heart of the historical battles and events. • In the British Campaign, you will follow Horatio’s Nelson journey from midshipman on the shores of Central America to the admiral who defeated the great armada in the battle of Trafalgar. • In the American campaign, you will play the role of John Paul Jones, participate in the War of Independence and stand at the origins of the United States Navy winning freedom for your country. REALISTIC SAILING To win battles you will need to master the art of maneuvering at sea. In the Age of Sail, proper positioning is of the utmost importance. Gain the weather gage, sustain powerful broadsides, and anticipate the lumbering movement of enemy ships-of-the-line. Approach to deliver a broadside at your own peril; even the most experienced captains risk demasting, loss of the ships, or death when engaging the enemy. Individual wind plans are based on each ship’s rigging. Realistic sailing physics replicates the behavior of actual ships where yard position changes based on the chosen course and direction of the wind. When at full sail your relative position to the wind can cause your ship to roll and block your guns from firing effectively. Moving with full sails in strong winds can also capsize your ship. When sailing against the wind ships can be pushed backward. DETAILED DAMAGE MODEL Unique aiming system where you can assign a target to focus your gunner’s aim on any part of a ship. A detailed damage model allows for the destruction of all ship components. Realistic ballistics and impact physics that account for energy, penetration, obstacles, and ricochets. Thickness based planking system where protection degrades as the planking is damaged. Planking penetration is also influenced by shot angle and material quality. HISTORICAL SHIPS AND WEAPONS We recreated the beautiful ships of the Age of Sail period from historical or admiralty collections drafts. Accurate hull models, sail plans, guns, internal upgrades, historical speed trials were used in the creation of vessels. We spent hundreds of hours researching numerous details on historical gunnery and firearms of the age of sail. Historical availability has also been implemented. Certain ships and weapons can only be captured by boarding ships or taken from the enemy on the battlefield. IMPORTANCE OF LOGISTICS AND INTERDICTION The game simulates naval warfare with small actions to huge fleet battles and amphibious operations to control the world’s oceans and shores. Fleets and flotillas are crucial for the logistical support of war requiring transportation of materials, goods, treasures, and troops. Your naval vessels have the capability to make decisive strikes against the opponent fleets or interdict their supply lines. GAMEPLAY Build your fleet: Success on the high seas will earn you promotions. Grow your fleet from a small squadron of unrated ships to a fearsome battle fleet complete with powerful ships-of-the-line. Customize your ships with new technology, weapons, to create a fleet that fits your tactical doctrine. Manage your crews: With every naval engagement, your crewmen become more efficient and deadly. With every shot, their accuracy and gunnery improve. While sailing they improve their stamina and fine control of their ship. Board enemy ships and land marines to build proficiency in combat. Of course, every veteran’s death is a huge blow to the navy. Gain reputation and promotions: Participating in battles you will receive an experience that will allow you to develop your admiral. Develop your tactical doctrines, build fast and maneuverable squadrons or slow heavily armed ships of the line to control the seas. Receive bonuses to supply, improve relations with the Admiralty, replenish crew, lower equipment prices, and gain other advantages to assist your campaigns. Screenshots for System Requirements MINIMUM: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating systemOS: 64-bit Windows 10 / 8.1 / 7 with Service Pack 1Processor: Intel Core i3-2100 (3.1 GHz) or equivalentMemory: 2 GB RAMGraphics: 2GB AMD 7970 or nVidia 770 or greaterDirectX: Version 11Storage: 10 GB available spaceSound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card RECOMMENDED: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating systemOS: 64-bit Windows 10 / 8.1 / 7 with Service Pack 1Processor: Intel i5-6600 | Ryzen 5 2600XMemory: 4 GB RAMGraphics: GTX 970 | R9 Fury X 4GB VRAMDirectX: Version 11Storage: 10 GB available spaceSound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card Read the full article

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j-r-macready · 4 years ago

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Sailors conduct the first-ever at sea refueling operation with USS Ashland and a Mark VI patrol boat in the Philippine Sea by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Via Flickr: PHILIPPINES (Feb. 25, 2021) - U.S. Sailors with Bravo Company, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron TWO, pull up alongside dock-landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) during a refueling operation in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 25, 2021. This refueling operation is the first time the USS Ashland (LSD 48) has refueled a Mark VI patrol boat while at sea. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the Amphibious Squadron 11 in the 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brienna Tuck) 210225-M-WH885-1010 ** Interested in following U.S. Indo-Pacific Command? Engage and connect with us at www.facebook.com/indopacom | twitter.com/INDOPACOM | www.instagram.com/indopacom | www.flickr.com/photos/us-pacific-command; | www.youtube.com/user/USPacificCommand | www.pacom.mil/ **

#“#U.S.#Indo-Pacific #Command”#31st MEU #USS Ashland #Refueling operation #Mark VI patrol boat #Maritime Expeditionary Security #Philippine Sea

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composedbedlam · 7 years ago

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Guam by The U.S. Army Via Flickr: ANDERSON SOUTH AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (Sept. 2, 2017) - Capt. Charles E. Broun briefs soldiers during joint military operations in urbanized terrain (MOUT) training at Andersen South Air Force Base. Broun is the company commander of India Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. The soldiers are with 58th Military Police Company, 728th Military Police Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade. Marines with BLT 3/5 train regularly in different environments to maintain their readiness as the Ground Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy's Amphibious Squadron 11 to form the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, providing a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Amaia Unanue) 170902-M-GE751-005

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channelnewswire-blog · 6 years ago

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Top Stories 2018: Marine Corps Operations - USNI News

An F-35B Lightning II designated to the "Avengers" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 sits on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious attack ship USS Essex (LHD 2) on March 7, 2018. United States Navy Photo

The Marine Corps spent 2018 preparing the force for a new era of warfare, improving how it performs its organisation in ways large and small.

Probably the biggest headline for the service this year was the first deployment of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter on a routine Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary System float, and the jet's very first combat actions during that implementation.

F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 in the 13th MEU left California on the Essex ARG in mid-July, and first-ever battle strike, effectively dropping bombs on targets in Afghanistan as part of Operation Freedom's Guard.

In addition, the Militaries' first operational F-35B squadron, VMFA-121 based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, got to conduct its very first at-sea ARG/MEU operations in March after amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) arrived in Japan in January as the new forward-deployed big-deck amphib. Among VMFA-121's activities this year was participation in the high-end workout Valiant Guard in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

In a year of F-35B firsts, there was an unwelcome very first-- the airplane had its very first midflight incident in September when a plane from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) crashed near MCAS Beaufort in South Carolina. The pilot safely ejected, and the Marine Corps has actually not spoken much about the nature of the crash, as the investigation is continuous. However, on Oct. 11, all F-35s of all versions around the globe were grounded due to indicators that a flaw in the fuel tube in the Pratt & & Whitney F135 engine may have contributed to the crash. All airplanes were grounded up until their engines could be examined.

Though the start of F-35B operations at sea definitely pressed the Militaries towards a higher ability, the Marine Corps also invested significant time this year to operating in unpredictable methods, focusing forces on areas that challenge Russian aggression, and utilizing experimentation and wargaming to cubicle the lethality of forces.

International Implementations

USS Iwo Jima off the Norwegian coast on Nov. 1, 2018. NATO Picture

The Iwo Jima ARG and 26th MEU's 2018 implementation highlighted the geographical reach of an ARG/MEU team and the capability to operate dispersed and unexpectedly, in line with the Pentagon's brand-new defense strategy and the Navy's Dynamic Force Work principle.

just source of sea-based naval strike air travel in the Middle East while sailing in the Persian Gulf.

After the BALTOPS workout, which concentrated on Trident Juncture 2018 exercise with NATO allies and partners. The ships and Marines were checked in their capability to operate in severe weather condition conditions and along coastlines they don't typically have access to-- though the Marines at least will be gaining much more experience there, after the service announced in late November that it would end its Black Sea Rotational Force and instead increase its rotational forces in Norway, Marine Corps Times reported.

U.S. Marine Corps AAV-P7/ A1 attack amphibious lorries assigned to Combat Assault Business, 3rd Marine Routine, discharge service members during an amphibious landing presentation as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) workout at Pyramid Rock Beach on Marine Corps Base Hawaii July 29, 2018. US Marine Corps photo.Marines in the Pacific kept busy with the Rim of the Pacific 2018 workout in Hawaii, in addition to three humanitarian support and disaster relief missions in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. As for the land-based Unique Function Marine Air-Ground Job Force(SP-MAGTF)-- which numerous years ago the Marine Corps started deploying regularly to compensate for a lack of ship-based MEUs due to a lack of amphib ships-- Marine management said there will continue to be a place for these forces even as ship counts start to increase, and even as the SP-MAGTFs' objective in the Middle East in specific has evolved from a crisis-response force to more of a routine presence in theater to support called operations and bilateral workouts. Ideas and Wargaming The expeditionary mobile base platform ship USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3 )transits the Strait of Hormuz, Oct. 22, 2018. Puller is released to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in

support of naval operations to guarantee maritime stability and security in the Central Region, linking the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three tactical choke points. US Navy photo.The Marine Corps continued its experimentation push through the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, resolving brand-new concepts and new innovations that can finest established the Marine Corps to fight a future war including unmanned systems, cyber and details warfare, expert system, additive manufacturing and other new innovations. A year into the Sea Dragon experimentation series, the Marine Corps announced in February it was beginning to execute modifications currently-- fielding little unmanned aerial systems, reorganizing the rifle team to include an assistant squad leader and a tech manager, and drawing up new techniques and procedures for a high-end battlefield. MCWL has two more years of experimentation drawn up for the service. The Marine Corps has been using a combination of experiments, technology demonstrations, fleet exercises and other training places to all chip away at the problem of how to make the Marine Corps more lethal in a high-end fight. Within the operational fleet, Militaries continue to play with the expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller(ESB-3)to understand how ground-based SP-MAGTFs or other systems might be able to utilize the ship to move Marines, their gear and their MV-22 Ospreys around a theater. As the service finds out more about how to use the ship both in lieu of a readily available amphibious ship along with in assistance of a close-by ARG, the second ship in the class, USNS Hershel"Woody" Williams(T-ESB-4 ), will likely head to the Mediterranean on its first release after providing in February and provide another chance for experimentation with the platform. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson visits the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest( FRCSW)at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. US Marine Cors Picture Even as the Marine Corps pressed its forces to become more skilled

at high-end warfare, readiness difficulties still impacted the service in 2018. The service saw a number of deadly air travel mishaps-- a CH-53E crash in California that killed four Marines assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron(HMH)465, and an aerial refueling incident that eliminated 6 Militaries and hurt one-- as well as two non-fatal crashes in Djibouti on the very same day that forced the Militaries to cancel the Alligator Dagger workout that was just starting. Outbound Defense Secretary James Mattis set an aggressive goal for the military to attain an 80-percent mission-capable rate for its fighters by the end of Financial Year 2019. The Navy and Marine Corps began to take a look at what it would require to modernize its depots and its maintenance practices to support this greater preparedness rate, with ideas such as enhanced logistics management systems and additive manufacturing being subjugated.

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courtneytincher · 5 years ago

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Black Knights receives its first F-35C stealth fighter jet

The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar has reported that Marine Wing Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, the “Black Knights”, received the Marine Corps’ first F-35C Lightning II on Jan. 21, 2020.

“It should be no surprise that VMFA-314 is once again leading the way into the next generation of fighter attack aircraft,” said Lt. Col Cedar Hinton, commanding officer of VMFA-314.

The squadron’s history began with its commissioning in 1943 at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, as the “Bob’s Cats.” In 1952, they were the first squadron in 3rd MAW to transition to jet aircraft and fly the F-9F Panther. In 1957, they officially became the “Black Knights” with the arrival of the F-4D Skyray. In October 1961, the “Black Knights” were the first Marine Corps squadron to transition to the F-4B Phantom and in 1982, the first in the Department of the Navy to fly the F/A-18 Hornet.

The “Black Knights” have proven themselves time and again from campaigns in the South Pacific to the Vietnam War and from Operation El Dorado Canyon to the Global War on Terror. VMFA-314’s storied history should give the American people confidence that the “Black Knights” will continue to fix, fly, and fight the next generation of aircraft.

The F-35C is one of three variants fielded by the Department of Defense. It is a result of decades of advancements that provide aviation capabilities previously thought unattainable.

The “C” variant was designed to operate from an aircraft carrier and is the first 5th generation long-range stealth strike fighter jet designed for that mission. The F-35C’s control surfaces and landing gear are better equipped for carrier operation than the other variants. The F-35C is equipped with larger internal fuel storage, which when combined with its ability to refuel in-flight, extends its range and allows for enhanced flight time when compared to other aircraft.

The F-35 variants include the F-35A, which utilizes conventional takeoff and landing and is designed to operate from traditional land-based runways. The F-35B is a short takeoff and vertical landing variant and specifically designed to operate from austere airfields and amphibious ships. 3rd MAW is proud that it now employs the first F-35C squadron along with two F-35B squadrons with more planned in the near future.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Cedar L. Hinton, commanding officer of Marine Wing Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), lands VMFA-314’s first F-35C Lightning II on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 21, 2020. Photo by Sgt. Charles Plouffe

“The F-35C represents the leading edge of advanced fighter attack aircraft today,” said Hinton. “It will give the Black Knights a technological advantage across the entire spectrum of tactical aviation. This includes everything from advanced sensor and weapon integration to increased range and endurance. We will be more survivable and more lethal than we have ever been.”

The “Black Knights” are now one of three F-35 squadrons in 3rd MAW, with more coming soon, which gives credence to 3rd MAW’s reputation as the Marine Corps’ premier and most lethal aviation wing.

The “Black Knights’” transition to the F-35C began in June 2019 and was marked by the traditional “sun-down” ceremony where VMFA-314 flew the Hornet for the last time. After which, they began training on the F-35C.

The next 3rd MAW squadron set to transition from the F/A-18 is VMFA-225, which will celebrate their last F/A-18 flight on Jan. 23, 2020.

VMFA-314 spent the latter portion of 2019 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California preparing for their operations certifications and completing squadron-wide F-35C qualifications. This process ensured the squadron was equipped with qualified personnel to implement the maintenance and safety programs necessary for an operational F-35 squadron.

“Transitioning a squadron into a new aircraft with many new Marines comes with a lot of challenges,” said Hinton. “However, it also provides a unique opportunity to start fresh and build a strong squadron culture from the ground up. We are all extremely excited to ensure the ‘Black Knights’ continue our legacy of leading from the front as we deliver this new capability to 3rd MAW.”

3rd MAW will continue to pave the way for the future of Marine Corps aviation and “Fix, Fly, and Fight” as the Marine Corps’ largest aircraft wing.

U.S Marine Corps Lt. Col Cedar L. Hinton, commanding officer of Marine Wing Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) lands VMFA-314’s first F-35C Lightning II on Marine Air Station Miramar, Calif., January 21, 2020. Photo by Sgt Dominic Romero

from Defence Blog

The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar has reported that Marine Wing Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, the “Black Knights”, received the Marine Corps’ first F-35C Lightning II on Jan. 21, 2020.

“It should be no surprise that VMFA-314 is once again leading the way into the next generation of fighter attack aircraft,” said Lt. Col Cedar Hinton, commanding officer of VMFA-314.

The F-35C is one of three variants fielded by the Department of Defense. It is a result of decades of advancements that provide aviation capabilities previously thought unattainable.

The next 3rd MAW squadron set to transition from the F/A-18 is VMFA-225, which will celebrate their last F/A-18 flight on Jan. 23, 2020.

3rd MAW will continue to pave the way for the future of Marine Corps aviation and “Fix, Fly, and Fight” as the Marine Corps’ largest aircraft wing.

via IFTTT

#Defence Blog

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