The aircraft recovery firefighting unit at MCAS Yuma, Arizona, got its first look at the base’s new F-35B Lightning II aircraft during an aircraft crash damage recovery training session on 8 February 2013. Working with personnel from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), the base first responders conducted a crane lift with the F-35B. This hoist sling equipment allows a crane operator to lift the entire aircraft and move it as desired. This training is would be employed operationally if an aircraft runs off the flight line and needs to be put back on without hurting the aircraft or, in a more dire scenario, needs to be towed and put on a truck to be moved.
