Photo Gallery

Arabian Sea

An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 15, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel Kimmelman) Share

IWO TO, Japan

250525-N-NA545-1006 IWO TO, Japan (May 25, 2025) Japanese media representatives capture a U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 and attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 as the aircraft conducts a “touch-and-go” during a field carrier landing practice (FCLP) at Iwo To, Japan, May 25, 2025. FCLP is a required flight training for pilot qualification and proficiency that precedes aircraft carrier landing operations, ensuring warfighting readiness in support of regional security and stability in the U.S. Indo Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dyxan K. Williams) Share

IWO TO, Japan

250525-N-NA545-1007 IWO TO, Japan (May 25, 2025) A Japanese media representative captures a U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 and attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, as the aircraft conducts a “touch-and-go” during a field carrier landing practice (FCLP) at Iwo To, Japan, May 25, 2025. FCLP is a required flight training for pilot qualification and proficiency that precedes aircraft carrier landing operations, ensuring warfighting readiness in support of regional security and stability in the U.S. Indo Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dyxan K. Williams) Share

NAS Patuxent River, Md.

An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the “Warhawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, recovers on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Dec. 27, 2024. Vinson, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group ONE, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Share

AT SEA

An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the “Warhawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during Exercise Freedom Shield 25, a defense-oriented, annual exercise featuring live, virtual and field-based training that engages alliance forces and governmental agencies, March 13, 2025. Vinson, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group ONE, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nate Jordan) Share

MALAYSIA

MALAYSIA (Jan. 24, 2025) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the “Bounty Hunters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, front, an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the “Stingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, rear center, and a pair F-35C Lightning IIs, assigned to the “Warhawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as part of Carrier Air Wing two (CVW-2), fly in formation with a pair of Royal Malaysian Air Force SU-30MKMs during a Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) in Malaysian air space, Jan. 24, 2025. The U.S. and Malaysia work together as comprehensive partners, enhancing combined air warfare capabilities and supporting their shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Vinson, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group ONE, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo) Share

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C.

Capt. Randy Berti, center, commanding officer of Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE), cuts the ribbon during an informal ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of its F-35 Lightning II expansion project at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Jan. 14, 2025. The expansion project, which offers the facility’s F-35 Modification Line more space and aircraft bays, is scheduled to support an additional 337,000 hours of work through fiscal year 2028. Berti was accompanied by George Wilson, F-35C assistant program manager for logistics at the F-35 Joint Program Office; Jeanie Holder, modifications and induction lead at the F-35 Joint Program Office; Ericka Bishop, contracting branch head for the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Facilities Engineering and Acquisitions Division; and Buddy Davis, FRCE Facilities and Infrastructure Management Department head. (U.S. Navy photo by Joseph Andes) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

250108-N-FS097-1560 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 8, 2025) An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the “Warhawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, recovers on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Jan. 8, 2025. Vinson, flagship of Carrier Strike Group ONE, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nate Jordan) Share

U.S. 5TH FLEET

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, left, and an F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). (U.S. Navy photo) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

A sailor prepares an F-35C Lightning II from the "Warhawks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 for launch during flight operations in the Philippine Sea aboard the Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Dec. 11, 2024. Carl Vinson, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG 1), is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenneth Ostas) Share

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C.

Workers on the Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) F-35 Lightning II aircraft modification line confer with the pilot prior to conducting a functional check flight inspection on an F-35B at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. This aircraft is the 150th fifth-generation fighter inducted by the depot. FRCE is the lead site for depot-level maintenance on the F-35B Lightning II and has conducted modifications and repair on the Marine Corps’ short takeoff-vertical landing variant of the aircraft since 2013. FRCE also works with the F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing) and F-35C (carrier) variants. (Photo by Joe Andes, Fleet Readiness Center East Public Affairs.) Share

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

241111-N-AB116-3622 U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Nov. 11, 2024) An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out names on aircraft) Share