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Science & Technology |
Marine Corps forms squadron to fly the new next-generation strike fighter jet |
2012-11-19 |
The Marine Corps is forming the first squadron of pilots to fly the next-generation strike fighter jet, months after lawmakers raised concern that there was a rush to end the testing of an aircraft hit with technical problems. So far two veteran pilots of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing have been trained to fly the F-35B. They are becoming the first members of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 that will debut at a ceremony Tuesday at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz. The first F-35B arrived Friday and 15 more are slated to arrive over the next year. The Defense Department has pumped a half a billion dollars into upgrading the facilities, hangars and runways at the base to make way for the next-generation fighter jet, officials said. The pilots of the new squadron are expected to fly the aircraft by year's end. |
Posted by:GolfBravoUSMC |
#7 Thats quite a few battle streamers on their unit flagstaff. |
Posted by: OldSpook 2012-11-19 23:18 |
#6 We really don't like to talk about the whole stealth/time-travel thing. |
Posted by: SteveS 2012-11-19 22:13 |
#5 20006??? Were they in powered armour shouting "for the emperor!"? |
Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2012-11-19 21:47 |
#4 Love them pretty birds... |
Posted by: badanov 2012-11-19 21:34 |
#3 WWII: Guadalcanal, Espirito Santo, Turtle Bay, Bougainville, Emirau, and Peleliu. Korea: Attack on the Sui-ho Dam, close air support during Maine combats ops. South Korea: 1953-1955 Cuban Missile Crisis Vietnam: 1966-1967 Desert Storm Afghanistan: 2002 Operation Iraqi Freedom: 20006-2008. |
Posted by: Pappy 2012-11-19 21:20 |
#2 Yeah that is a familiar number. According to Wiki, VMF(A) 121 earned its fame as the Cactus Air Force, Guadalcanal operations. VMA 211 was a transfer from Enterprise onto Wake Island; and more recently the attack on Camp Bastion. |
Posted by: swksvolFF 2012-11-19 21:19 |
#1 Correct me iff I'm wrong, but isn't VMF(A)-121 the same squadron that grew into legend by its valiant fight, destruction at Wake Island, + later the Solomon battles during WW2??? |
Posted by: JosephMendiola 2012-11-19 19:12 |