US Marines Corps Declares F-35B Ready For Combat

The US Marine Corps has declared initial operational capability on its variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) has achieved initial operational capability in the F-35B, as defined by requirements outlined in the June 2014 Joint Report to Congressional Defense Committees, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford said in a statement on Friday.

VMFA-121 has ten aircraft in the Block 2B configuration with the requisite performance envelope and weapons clearances, to include the training, sustainment capabilities, and infrastructure to deploy to an austere site or a ship.

It is also capable of conducting close air support, offensive and defensive counter air, air interdiction, assault support escort and armed reconnaissance as part of a Marine Air Ground Task Force, or in support of the Joint Force, Dunford added.

Prior to declaring IOC, several flight operations have been conducted for seven weeks at sea aboard an L-Class carrier. Moreover, the aircraft has participated in multiple large force exercises, and executed a recent operational evaluation which included multiple live ordnance sorties.

"The F-35B’s ability to conduct operations from expeditionary airstrips or sea-based carriers provides our Nation with its first 5th generation strike fighter” he added. 

As the future of Marine Corps tactical aviation, the F-35 will eventually replace the AV-8B Harrier, the F/A-18 Hornet, and the EA-6B Prowler.