Two VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” F-35Cs from NAS Lemoore were photographed over ’s Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. VFA-125 and VFA-147 at both based at NAS Lemoore. VFA-125 is the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the F-35C while VFA-147 is the USN’s first operational Lightning II squadron. (USN/Darin Russell)

A pictorial salute to the increased airpower of the US Navy and US Marine FIST OF Corps that is being utilized to counter the Pilot of a VMFAT-601 F-35B making a vertical landing. Note the growing threats from our nation’s panels open atop the fuselage to provide extra air for the engine enemies — BY ROBINSON GREEN THE during this stage of operation. (USMC/Bobby Yarbrough) F-35Bs assigned to VMFA-121 are Marine Fighter Attack secured to the flight deck of the Training Squadron (VMFAT) USS Wasp 501 conducts a readiness (LHD-1) during Exercise Balikatan 2019 exercise at MCAS Beaufort, in the South China Sea. The relatively South Carolina, on 1 May short wingspan of the F-35B was set by 2019. The safe launch and FLEET the requirement to fit inside USN recovery of the 20 Lightning amphibious assault ship parking areas IIs affirmed the squadron’s and elevators. It is planned that the commitment to achieving USMC will eventually receive 340 F-35B and sustaining the highest and 80 F-35Cs. (USN/Daniel Barker) level of readiness in order to train the next generation of F-35B pilots. (USMC/Brandon Owen)

The Lockheed Martin F-35B/C Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine, all-weather, stealth multirole combat aircraft designed for both air superiority and strike missions. There are three main variants that include the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A (CTOL), the short takeoff and vertical landing F-35B (STOVL), and the carrier-based F-35C (CV/CATOBAR). The F-325B entered service with the US Marine Corps in July 2015, followed by the USAF F-35A in August 2016, and the US Navy F-35C in February 2019. Photographed taking off from amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) in the Philippine Sea on 7 June 2019, this F-35B is assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced). (USMC/Kenny Bigey)

F-35C from VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” makes a perfect touch down on the deck of USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in the Pacific Ocean on 18 January 2020. The F-35C has kinematics competitive with fourth generation fighters such as the F-16 and F/A-18, especially with ordnance mounted because the F-35C’s internal weapons carriage eliminates parasitic drag from external stores. All variants of the F-35 have a top speed of Mach 1.6. (USN/James Hong)

8 SEA CLASSICS/May 2020 seaclassicsnow.com 9