The Marine Corps is touting the first Marine squadron to deploy the F-35C on an aircraft carrier, detailing the recent departure from San Diego Bay.
Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln is a key milestone in Marine Corps history Officials outlined how possessing the capability to deploy the F-35C is significant – with the F-35C being designed and built specifically for aircraft carrier operations to enhance the inherent battlespace awareness of all naval aircraft it operates alongside.
“The Black Knight’s deployment of F-35C Lightning II aboard USS Abraham Lincoln is the newest chapter in the Marine Corps’ long history of naval integration,” Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, 3rd MAW commanding general, said. “The deployment represents years of hard work and innovation by the Marines and Sailors of VMFA-314, MAG-11, and 3rd MAW. It also reinforces our commitment to fielding the most lethal and ready Navy-Marine Corps force as we project warfighting capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific region or globally wherever our nation calls.”
The deployment stems from VMFA-314 completing its workups with Carrier Air Wing Nine last year onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, concluding with VMFA-314 completing the final integrated training cycle along with other elements of Carrier Strike Group Three in December.
“Our ability to operate the F-35C in the Pacific greatly increases the Marine Corps’ naval expeditionary force capabilities by providing us the capacity to employ the most advanced electronic warfare capabilities on any aircraft today in support of fleet operations,” Lt. Col. Brendan M. Walsh, VMFA-314 commanding officer, said. “In addition, having this asset available greatly increases the Marine Corps’ ability to provide security to our allied nations and preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.”