Marines make history by deploying first F35-C fighter, so does Navy – Orange County Register

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, has embarked on a new deployment to the Indo-Pacific, marking significant milestones for the Marines and Navy.

For the Marines, this is the first time they have deployed the F-35C on an aircraft carrier. For the Navy, this deployment marks the first time that a woman has served as both an executive officer and captain of an aircraft carrier. Captain Amy Bauernchmidt took command of the ship in August.

“The Black Knight’s deployment of the F-35C Lightning II aboard USS Abraham Lincoln is the latest chapter in the Marines’ long history of naval integration,” said Major General Bradford J. Gering, commanding general. of the 3rd Marine Wing, said. “It also reinforces our commitment to arming the most ready and lethal Navy-Marine force as we envision combat capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region. Ocean or globally”.

To be ready for deployment, the squadron trained for nine months. The locals may have watched some of the training in Summer Fury, an aviation exercise where planes fly over much of Southern California. The training also included long-range air strikes from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to simulate possible future conflicts where a fighter jet could refuel in the air. a temporary base.

It is also in the process of preparing for this rollout, on August 31st. when a helicopter aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln lost control and fall excessively. Five sailors died with the helicopter, their remains were found on October 13. A sixth sailor was found hours after the helicopter crashed.

The USS Abraham Lincoln departs San Diego Bay on January 3. The deployment comes as hostile negotiations continue between China and Taiwan, in which China claims Taiwan as its own territory. .

The new fighter – one of three F-35s developed for use on aircraft carriers – allows pilots to access real-time combat space information, 360-degree views and Sensors provide information from the air and on the ground. The sensor can also send information to commanders in the field and back to the United States. The fighters replaced the aging AV-8B Harrier, F/A-18 Hornet and EA-6B Prowler.

On January 21, 2021, Miramar and airplane wings made history when Lieutenant Colonel Cedar Hinton, commanding officer of the 314th Fighter Squadron, landed the first F-35C at the San Diego base.

By 2032, the 10 squadrons currently stationed at Miramar are expected to switch to the F-35. Six will be stationed at Miramar and four will be stationed at Yuma Marines. The 3rd Marine Squadron is the largest wing in the Marines.