F-35B drar til sjøs med USMC - AIN

F-35B Goes To Sea, Despite Support Challenges The United States Marine Corps (USMC) has completed its first operational at-sea deployment of the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, a two-month tour on the USS Wasp. This deployment was also notable for testing the “upgunned” Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) concept, whereby a traditional three-ship ESG is joined by two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, to enhance the survivability and offensive capabilities of the group. “The F-35B performed very well on its first deployment,” a USMC spokeswoman told AIN. “The F-35B is the most capable aircraft ever to support a Marine rifleman on the ground. It brings a range of new capabilities that make us a more lethal and effective Marine Air-Ground Task Force,” said Col Tye R. Wallace, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) commanding officer to U.S. Navy internal media. Read More