Marines Train to Recover Downed F-35

Unit simulates a mission on a nonoperational F-35 airframe.

Monday, February 03, 2025 at 04:40 PM ET

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David White, an F-35 support equipment engineer at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE), builds a temporary structure to support the nose of an F-35B Lightning II during aircraft recovery training conducted by Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 (MWSS-271), based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. [Courtesy: Naval Air Systems Command]

Key Takeaways:

Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 (MWSS-271) at MCAS Cherry Point trained to recover a damaged F-35B Lightning II aircraft.
The three-day exercise, conducted at Fleet Readiness Center East, simulated the recovery of an F-35 with collapsed front landing gear using a non-operational airframe.
Training focused on learning proper F-35 lifting procedures, landing gear stowage, and establishing controlled recovery sites, aiming to standardize practices for this relatively new platform across the Marine Corps.

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Marines based in North Carolina recently trained to recover a damaged, downed F-35B Lightning II before a worst-case scenario occurs.

Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 (MWSS-271) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, recently completed a three-day training event at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE), simulating the recovery of an F-35 with collapsed front landing gear. The center is the lead site for Marine Corps depot-level maintenance on the F-35 and employs more than 4,000 civilian, military, and contract workers.