The Next 100 years For Naval Aviation

A Marine Corps F-35B prepares to vertically land for the first time at sea on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship Wasp on Oct. 3. Joint Strike Fighter Program Office

Naval Aviation: The Next 100 years -- Second Line of Defense

Today, October 3, 2011 was the first day of the next 100 years for the Navy Marine team in the air and on the sea. The F-35 Joint Program Office just announced the future.

ABOARD USS WASP, At sea – The Navy and Marine Corps Team made more remarkable naval aviation history today as the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) test aircraft BF-2 landed safely on USS Wasp’s (LHD-1) flight deck, the first at sea vertical landing for the Marine Corps’ F-35 JSF version.

Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk landed BF-2 at 3:12 pm.

On June 13,2011 Second Line of Defense had a chance to interview Lt. Col “Tinman” Schenk at Pax River. We were able to discuss the overall effort to prepare to take the F-35B to sea.

“Tinman” got it so right when he discussed months ago what it all means when the F-35B touches down on the USS Wasp.

We will take our ten or eleven carrier fleet, and we now will double the number of capital ships that can deploy a fifth generation fighter.

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My Comment: A must read post for those who are interested in naval aviation.