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Naval
Forces News - USA |
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US Navy Reconstitutes Fighter Attack Squadron 101 (VFA-101) "Grim
Reapers" with F-35C |
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Tuesday,
the U.S. Navy and the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla., officially
reconstituted the highly decorated VFA-101 Grim Reapers Squadron during
ceremonies held on the Emerald Coast. |
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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (Oct. 1, 2013) The official party stands
at attention during the rollout ceremony for the U.S. Navy's first F-35C
Lightning II carrier variant aircraft squadron the Grim Reapers of Strike
Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin
by Angel DelCueto/Released) |
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VFA-101
will fly the Navy’s newest aircraft, the Lockheed Martin F-35C
Lightning II carrier variant, to perform the mission of training pilots
and sailors to fly and service the aircraft fleet. The speakers challenged
the Grim Reapers to prepare sailors to fly and maintain the F-35C safely
at sea, where its stealth, sensors and communication systems will make
the entire carrier strike group more effective. The U.S. Navy’s
F-35C Initial Operating Capability is scheduled for 2019. |
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F-35C
with Fighter Attack Squadron 101 (VFA-101) "Grim Reapers"
High Visibility Scheme
(Picture: Lockheed Martin) |
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“The
F-35C brings a broad range of force packages to the Navy fleet –
capitalizing on the integration of advanced mission systems, stealth
technology and supersonic capabilities,” said Lorraine Martin,
Executive Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Program “The
F-35C will enhance the flexibility, power projection, and rapid response
of carrier air wings and joint task forces for decades to come.” |
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The original Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101), nicknamed Grim Reapers,
was established 1 May 1952 and flew various fighter aircraft including
the F-4 Phantom and F-14 Tomcat.
Picture: US Navy |
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The
original Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101), nicknamed Grim Reapers, was
established 1 May 1952 and flew various fighter aircraft including the
F-4 Phantom and F-14 Tomcat. VF-101 was disestablished in 2005. To support
the Navy version of the F-35, VFA-101 was reestablished in May 2012
at a new hangar and training facility at Eglin. The unit will serve
as the Fleet Replacement Squadron, training Navy Lightning II aviators
and maintainers. |
