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Navy Receives First F-35C Lightning II

Story Number: NNS130622-11Release Date: 6/22/2013 3:37:00 PM
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From Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 received the Navy's first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant aircraft from Lockheed Martin today at the squadron's home at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

The F-35C is a fifth generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment.

The F-35C will enhance the flexibility, power projection, and strike capabilities of carrier air wings and joint task forces and will complement the capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which currently serves as the Navy's premier strike fighter.

By 2025, the Navy's aircraft carrier-based air wings will consist of a mix of F-35C, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers electronic attack aircraft, E-2D Hawkeye battle management and control aircraft, Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) air vehicles, MH-60R/S helicopters and Carrier Onboard Delivery logistics aircraft.

VFA 101, based at Eglin Air Force Base, will serve as the F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron, training both aircrew and maintenance personnel to fly and repair the F-35C.

For more news from Commander, Naval Air Forces, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/airpac/ or the command's official Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/FlyNavy.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy

STORY COMMENTS2 COMMENTS
6/30/2013 3:08:00 AM
I hope the F-35C Lightening carrier variant brings a formidable new strike capability to the US Navy and help keep our brave young men and women in uniform and the United States of America safe and secure.
6/23/2013 9:50:00 AM
I see why the Navy has been, and always will be simply the best.
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Joint Strike Fighter
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130622-N-ZZ999-244 EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (June 22, 2013) Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Tabert, F-35C instructor pilot, prepares to exit the cockpit after landing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The U.S. Navy's Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 received the Navy's first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant aircraft from Lockheed Martin today at the squadron's home at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. VFA 101, based at Eglin Air Force Base, will serve as the F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron, training both aircrew and maintenance personnel to fly and repair the F-35C. U.S. Air Force Photo by Maj. Karen Roganov, 33d Fighter Wing Public Affairs (Released)
June 22, 2013
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