The most expensive weapon ever devised, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, has been declared ready for battle by the Marine Corps.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), went operational Friday with 10 F-35Bs and was declared ready for “worldwide deployment.” The unit is the first of all services and partner nations to declare the F-35 battle ready. The Air Force should follow in 2016 and the Navy’s carrier-based version should be ready for deployment in 2019.
“I am pleased to announce that 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,” outgoing Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, said in a statement.
VMFA-121 is equipped with 10 aircraft in the Block 2B software configuration capable of wepaons deployment,. training and close-air support capabilities that the aircraft was meant to perform, he said.
Dunford said he has full confidence in the F-35B’s ability to support Marines in combat.
“Prior to declaring IOC, we have conducted flight operations for seven weeks at sea aboard an L-Class carrier, participated in multiple large force exercises, and executed a recent operational evaluation which included multiple live ordinance sorties,” Dunford said. “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, which will transform the way we fight and win.”
The F-35 eventually will replace the AV-8B Harrier jump jet and the EA-6B Prowler.
So far, the Marine Corps has 50 F-35B pilots trained and has certified about 500 maintenance personnel.
Following VMFA 121 will be VMFA-211, a former AV-8B squadron, scheduled to transition to the F-35B in fiscal year 2016. VMFA-122, an F-18 Hornet squadron, will transition to the F-35 in 2018.