In a remarkable milestone for the US military, a Marine aviation squadron has achieved a historic first by flying F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from California to Australia.
The Marine Corps announced that the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 flew four F-35C jets on an approximately 7,800-mile journey across the Pacific, making stopovers along the way before reaching their destination.
Marine Aviation Squadron Achieves Historic Transpacific Flight with F-35C Jets
The purpose of the journey was to prepare for joint training exercises with the Australian air force.
While Australian F-35As have previously flown from the United States to Australia during the delivery process, this marks the first time that US F-35 aircraft have made the transpacific journey, as confirmed by Marine spokeswoman Maj. Natalie Batcheler.
The F-35Cs, hailing from the Miramar base in California, embarked on their journey on June 17 and successfully concluded it on June 22.
This achievement stands as a testament to the capabilities of these advanced fighter jets, according to Batcheler.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, also known as the ‘Black Knights,’ transitioned to the F-35C in January 2020, becoming the first Marine aviation unit to do so, leaving behind the aging F/A-18 Hornet.
In April of the same year, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 became the second unit to transition to the F-35C.
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Showcasing Enhanced Defense Capabilities
Two years after their transition, the Black Knights made history once again as the first Marines to deploy the F-35C variant on an aircraft carrier, the Abraham Lincoln.
While the Marine Corps predominantly utilizes the F-35B variant, capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings, which make it well-suited for operation from smaller amphibious ships, the F-35C is designed for aircraft carrier-based or land base operations.
With its larger internal fuel capacity, the F-35C can cover longer distances compared to its counterpart, the F-35B, as outlined in the Marine Corps’ 2022 aviation plan.
The successful journey of the Marine F-35Cs to Australia marks a significant achievement and highlights the continued advancements in military aviation.
This transpacific flight not only strengthens the partnership between the US and Australian forces but also demonstrates the capabilities and versatility of the F-35 Lightning II fighter jets in enhancing joint defense capabilities.
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