Marines Land 20 F-35Bs Lightning IIs On Amphibious Assault Ship

Wednesday, April 06, 2022 at 05:47 PM ET

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An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), conducts expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO) support and short take-off and vertical landings on simulated narrow roads at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. [File photo courtesy: U.S. Marine Corps]

Key Takeaways:

Marine Corps pilots landed a record 20 F-35B Lightning IIs on the USS Tripoli, marking the largest number of these jets ever on a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship.
This exercise demonstrates the "lightning carrier concept," which transforms amphibious assault ships into dedicated fixed-wing platforms for F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft.
The operation focuses on developing tactics, techniques, and procedures for operating a large F-35B contingent from the sea, enhancing readiness, and practicing complex logistics.

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Marine Corps pilots landed 20 F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters on the deck of the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) this week, marking the largest number of the jump jets loaded onto a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship.

The aircraft landings are part of an ongoing joint Navy and Marine Corps exercise underway in the Pacific demonstrating the lightning carrier concept that turns amphibious assault ships into light carriers.