US 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Expeditionary Strike Group 3 demonstrate lightning carrier concept.

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps demonstrated a key capability when they operated 20 F-35B Lightning II jets from America-class amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli from March 30 through April 8, fully exercising the Marine Corps’ “lightning carrier” concept for the first time in naval history on an amphibious assault ship. Maj. Mason Englehart3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, explains.

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An F-35B Lightning II attached to Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli on March 31. VMX-1 is embarked aboard Tripoli as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Lightning carrier concept demonstration (Picture source: USMC/Seaman Maci Sternod)

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger spoke to the potential of the “lighting carrier” concept based on amphibious assault ships in his planning guidance. "Lightning" is derived from the predominance of F-35B Lightning II aircraft aboard. The demonstration featured 16 jets from Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, with an additional four from Marine

Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, all operating from USS Tripoli at a high tempo. The Navy and Marine Corps team has incrementally developed the Lightning carrier concept and continues to refine its tactics, techniques, and procedures to support integrated naval operations.

“It has been an incredible opportunity to train to fight as a MAG from the sea, to train our pilots, and to work alongside our Navy teammates," said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Chad Vaughn, commanding officer of MAG-13.

The demonstration proved that an assault carrier can be a lethal addition and provides combatant commanders with more options when employed in creative ways. An earlier concept utilized amphibious assault ships to demonstrate the “Harrier carrier” concept for AV-8B Harriers.

This concept will not change the standard make-up of an Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit. However, the exercise demonstrated the potential to utilize amphibious assault ships to provide the naval and joint force with lethal access, collection, and strike capabilities from fifth-generation Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing aircraft in future operations.

“This demonstration proved the versatility of the America-class assault carrier, with its ability to embark either two squadrons of F-35Bs and a MAG command element, or a battalion-sized landing force and the associated assault support [12 MV-22B Ospreys, 4 CH-53E Super Stallions, and 6 F-35B Lightning II],” said U.S. Navy Capt. Joel Lang, Tripoli’s Commanding Officer. “For the fleet commander, both options are formidable and sustainable.”

Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli departs Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., April 7, 2022. Tripoli completed flight deck operations with 20 F-35B Lightning II jets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 211 and 225, Marine Aircraft Group 13, and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, as well as Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Lightning carrier concept demonstration (Picture source: USMC/Sgt Samuel Ruiz)