[ad_1]
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing marked a milestone in Marine Corps history as they left San Diego Bay with Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN -72) as the first Marine squadron to deploy the F-35C on an aircraft carrier.
“The Black Knight’s deployment of the F-35C Lightning II aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln is the latest chapter in the Marine Corps’ long history of naval integration,” said Major General Bradford J. Gering , commanding general of 3rd MAW. The upcoming deployment represents years of hard work and innovation by the Navy and Sailors of VMFA-314, MAG-11 and 3rd MAW. It also reinforces our commitment to deploy the deadliest, most ready Navy-Marine Corps force as we project combat capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific region, or the world wherever our nation calls for. “
The Marine Corps possessing the ability to deploy the F-35C is important because the F-35C was designed and built specifically for aircraft carrier operations and brings with it the ability to enhance the awareness of the battlespace. of all naval aircraft with which it operates. The deployment of this asset to a contested maritime region provides the Marine Corps with a mobile and flexible force that provides security to the United States and allied nations abroad, contributes to regional stability and extends the United States military advantage by Wed.
Third MAW recently demonstrated the strike capabilities of the F-35 by using its F-35 squadrons in long-range air strike exercises. During Exercise Summer Fury 21, a 3rd MAW Squadron flew the F-35 from Miramar to Washington State over a distance of over one thousand miles to perform long-range precision fire over a designated target. Significant technological developments in aircraft and aggressive military training like this have contributed to the Marine Corps’ ability to maintain a free and open international order by deterring potential aggression.
“Our ability to operate the F-35C in the Pacific dramatically increases the capabilities of the Marine Corps Naval Expeditionary Force by providing us with the ability to use the most advanced electronic warfare capabilities on any aircraft today.” hui in support of fleet operations, â€said Lt. Col. Brendan M. Walsh, commanding officer of VMFA-314. “In addition, having this asset greatly increases the ability of the Marine Corps to provide security to our allied nations and to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
This deployment is a culminating effort as the VMFA-314 completed work last year with Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, concluding with the VMFA-314 completing their final cycle of integrated training with d Other elements of Carrier Strike Group Three in December as the Marine Corps continues to develop its 5th generation strike combat capabilities.
The VMFA-314 was the first Marine Corps squadron to switch to the F-35C variant of the Joint Strike Fighter after it retired its old F / A-18A / C aircraft and received its first F-35C on 21 January 2020. Now as the Marine Corps continues to develop as a modernized naval force, the deployment of squadrons, such as the VMFA-314, to key strategic maritime locations, allows the Marine Corps to deter assault adversaries and, if necessary, to win decisively in the conflict.
[ad_2]
