From Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific Public Affairs
U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II carrier variant aircraft assigned to the
"Grim Reapers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101, homeported
at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon,
Nevada, Sept. 3. The evolution is part of a 12-day VFA-101 detachment
focused on the integration of F-35C with the Fallon Range Training Complex.
This visit will also allow coordination among VFA-101 and the Naval
Aviation Warfighting Development Center to refine tactics, techniques
and procedures of F-35C as it prepares to join the carrier air wing. |
"F-35C
Lightning II will be an absolutely critical addition to the carrier
strike group's integrated warfighting package," said Vice Adm.
Mike Shoemaker, commander, Naval Air Forces. "With its stealth
advantages, it penetrates threat envelopes, detects and fuses information
from many sources, and links that fused picture to other strike group
aircraft and ships."
The visit also provides pilots and aviation maintenance personnel at
NAS Fallon, as well as local dignitaries, an opportunity to become familiar
with the aircraft through capabilities briefs and a static display.
"It was great to see so many interested Sailors," said Lt.
William Snead, a pilot with VFA-101. "Because Lightning II joint
strike fighters will operate alongside (F/A-18E/F) Super Hornets starting
in 2018, I think there was a lot of interest to see what it looks like
up-close and get a preview of it sitting beside the Super Hornets that
it will be operating within the air wing of the future."
The F-35C is a fifth generation stealth fighter that provides the all-sensor
fusion and long range combat identification capability, networked to
the rest of the air wing, strike group and Joint Force. With a broad
wingspan, reinforced landing gear, ruggedized structures and durable
coatings, the F-35C is designed to stand up to harsh shipboard conditions
while delivering a lethal combination of fighter capabilities to the
fleet.
The F-35C will enhance the flexibility, power projection, and strike
capabilities of carrier air wings and joint task forces.
The U.S. Navy's future 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,
MH-60R/S Sea Hawk helicopters and Carrier Onboard Delivery logistics
aircraft.
Although VFA-101 is the Navy's newest fighter squadron, they possess
a rich heritage. The original Fighter Squadron (VF) 101 was established
in 1942 and flew various aircraft including the F-14 Tomcat. When the
F-14 was retired in 2005, VF-101 was disestablished. |
Two F-35C Lightning II aircraft before a break maneuver with an F/A-18E
Super Hornet from Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore. (U.S. Navy photo
by Lt. Cmdr. Darin Russell/Released)