EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Navy F-35C fighter jets conduct first ever field carrier landing training at Iwo To Japan.

According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense on May 30, 2025, for the first time ever, U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II aircraft participated in Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs) at Iwo To, Japan, marking a significant milestone for the Navy’s forward-deployed air wing. From May 19 to 31, 2025, aircrew from Carrier Air Wing 5, stationed aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73), carried out intensive flight operations at the remote Pacific island in preparation for aircraft carrier landings. This training underlines the Navy’s strategic commitment to maintaining warfighting readiness in the U.S. Indo-Pacific region amid increasing security challenges.
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A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II from Strike Fighter Squadron 147 under Carrier Air Wing 5 approaches for landing during field carrier landing practice at Iwo To, Japan, on May 25, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The F-35C Lightning II variant involved in this historic operation is the U.S. Navy's carrier-optimized version of the fifth-generation stealth fighter. It features a larger wingspan with folding wingtips for carrier deck operations, reinforced landing gear for the stresses of catapult launches and arrested landings, and a tailhook designed specifically for carrier use. It also possesses extended range and payload capacity compared to other F-35 variants, along with advanced stealth and networked warfare capabilities that make it the most technologically advanced aircraft in the Navy's arsenal. This variant is purpose-built to operate from U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, giving the fleet a dominant edge in both maritime strike and air superiority missions.

Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs) are an indispensable component of U.S. Navy pilot training, serving as the final and most crucial phase before aviators perform actual arrested landings on aircraft carriers. FCLPs replicate the extreme precision and high-stress environment of carrier deck operations. Pilots must master the skills required to land a high-performance jet on a moving, pitching flight deck, often under low-visibility or nighttime conditions, with a landing zone scarcely longer than a football field. These practices are essential not only for initial qualification but also for recurrent training to ensure pilot proficiency, prevent accidents, and uphold operational readiness across all deployed squadrons.

The FCLP evolution is a rigorous and mandatory phase of training for pilots assigned to fixed-wing carrier squadrons, enabling them to simulate real-world deck landings under authentic environmental conditions. The exercises at Iwo To included not only the F-35C, but also F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and E-2D Hawkeyes. Air Wing 5’s LSOs (Landing Signal Officers), vital to ensuring flight deck recovery safety, also refined their skills during the mission. The high-fidelity replication of nighttime carrier conditions at Iwo To provided an ideal setting to conduct these complex operations in a highly realistic environment.

The selection of Iwo To as an FCLP site carries unique operational advantages, despite its challenges. Iwo To’s remote location in the western Pacific and its austere environment offer a rare opportunity to simulate the isolation and environmental conditions of real-world carrier operations at sea. The island's terrain and lack of surrounding light pollution create ideal conditions for night landing simulations, closely replicating the blacked-out flight decks that pilots must approach during nighttime operations. Training at Iwo To also forces aircrews and support personnel to operate under constraints similar to those on a carrier—limited infrastructure, no immediate diversion airfields, and long logistics chains—all of which help enhance realism and mental preparedness.

Furthermore, Iwo To’s strategic location underscores its relevance. Situated roughly halfway between Japan and the Mariana Islands, it provides a forward-deployed training environment within the U.S. Indo-Pacific theater, contributing to regional deterrence and rapid response readiness. Its use aligns with the U.S. Navy’s emphasis on distributed maritime operations and expeditionary capability in contested environments. By preparing crews under the toughest and most authentic conditions, FCLPs at Iwo To ensure that air wings like Carrier Air Wing 5 can project power safely, effectively, and decisively across the Indo-Pacific.

Capt. William Fallon, assistant chief of staff for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan, highlighted the significance of the training and the operational challenges at Iwo To. He described the difficulty and intensity of operating in conditions where diversion is not an option, emphasizing the value of practicing in an austere, isolated location. Iwo To’s geographic isolation replicates the demanding nature of carrier aviation but also underscores the need for flexible training options closer to mainland Japan for increased safety and operational resilience.

Despite its advantages, the site is not viable as a permanent FCLP location. Its remote facilities, combined with the absence of nearby airfields for emergency landings or adverse weather contingencies, impose limitations on long-term use. The U.S. Government has retained the right to conduct FCLPs at alternate mainland facilities as required to ensure the continuity and safety of naval aviation training.

Carrier Air Wing 5, headquartered in Japan since 1973, comprises a diverse mix of aircraft platforms and capabilities. These include the EA-18G Growlers of Electronic Attack Squadron 141 (VAQ-141), E-2D Hawkeyes of Airborne Command and Control Squadron 125 (VAW-125), MH-60S Seahawks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 (HSC-12), the F-35Cs of Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147), and the F/A-18F and F/A-18E Super Hornets of VFA-102. As the only permanently forward-deployed U.S. carrier air wing, Air Wing 5 continues to serve as a critical element of regional deterrence and operational assurance for America’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

This historic first operation of U.S. Navy F-35C fighter jets from Iwo To in Japan reinforces the Navy’s commitment to integrated deterrence. It demonstrates carrier aviation's evolving capability and strategic flexibility in one of the world’s most vital geopolitical theaters.