Programs

First Operational F-35B Delivered

Posted 16 November 2012
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Photo by Cpl. Aaron Diamant

The first operational F-35B Lightning II for the US Marine Corps was delivered to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona. Maj. Aric Liberman delivered the aircraft (Bureau Number 168717) to the base near the California border after a flight from the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft will first be used for maintenance training before operational flights begin. Known as the Green Knights, the squadron first gained fame in World War II as part of the force sent to relieve Guadalcanal. Maj. Joe Foss, who became an ace and would later receive the Medal of Honor for his actions, was the squadron’s executive officer at the time.

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