Forum: F-35 Lightning II

Sounds like they had a significant crew of maintainers and engineers aboard.

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Yes, a detachment of maintainers for the turnarounds and pre & post flights with the test personnel - some civilian as one would expect in the circumstances. USS Wasp does not itself support the details of any aircraft. The squadrons supply that support either by detachment or the full squadron embarks/disembarks as required.

Interesting old video because we see the ground/ship crews at work rather than just the aircraft with pilots perhaps. And yes it is something different. Ship aircrew/maintainers/deck handlers work/live side by side and get to know one another very well. Do a bad landing aboard and youse know about it. Smile

Anyone know of an USMC equivalent video then please post details. There are two examples of shipboard VLs from aircraft perspective near end and at around 8 min mark.

800 SQN Gulf 97-98

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDw_Y3GF ... r_embedded

"Uploaded by RiceRocketRacerGT4 on Feb 25, 2011
Video footage recorded onboard HMS Invincible by the BBC, ITN and Sky news during the period late 1997 when Sadam Hussain kicked out the UN inspectors. The Royal Navy with 800 Squadron took up post in the Gulf with the americans to put pressue on the Iraqi leader."

Preparing USS Wasp for operations and F-35B tests next year I guess will include PALS approaches etc....

USS Wasp returns to sea for training 01 Dec 2011
By Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Caleb Cooper | USS Wasp

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/80797/uss- ... a-training

"ATLANTIC OCEAN – USS Wasp departed its home port in Norfolk, Va., Nov. 28 for sea trials to ready itself for future underway periods....

"...Another evolution taking place during Wasp’s underway period is the Operations Department’s full certification of the ship’s Precision Approach Landing System, which began in July during previous sea trials.

The PALS system is essential to the safe landing of Navy and Marine Corps aircraft at sea. More importantly, the certification of that system is an important step in preparing the ship to become deployment ready...."

Forum: F-35 Lightning II

Wasp prepares for Joint Strike Fighter