F-35B in the ME for first time

blindpilot · by **blindpilot** » 12 Oct 2018, 17:05

quicksilver wrote:
hythelday wrote:...USS Essex is in the Persian Gulf, but there are no confirmation yet whether VMFA-211 has been cleared to fly or not. Not impossible, as some F-35s across all variants are already flying (see relevant "crash" thread)

VMFA-211 was not grounded. A TCTD/TCTO was issued that specified inspection of a specific engine component in all F35s/F135s before the next flight. Jets (individual tail numbers, as opposed to an operational unit) are cleared to fly pending completion and the results of the directed inspection.

Agreed.

This sounds like an IRAN (inspect and repair as needed) project.
1. The inspection (records and airframe) sounds like it is low impact. Those not needing repair can be checked in the normal cycle of waiting in the hangar for the next flight, and in fact may have no real "down time" at all, going to the next sortie.
2. Those that need the part apparently are only down for 24-48 hours according to reports.
3. I'm not sure where the fuel tube is located (airframe or engine) but the parts are likely in Europe now as needed, with the assembly there. Worse case they'll take a few days to back fill the European assembly/depot locations from the States. ?days not weeks.

I don't expect there to have been any noticeable loss of missions to the casual observer, with VMFA-211. Perhaps one aircraft held back for 48 hours. Perhaps one Osprey sortie to go get the parts.

MHO,
BP

zerion · by **zerion** » 29 Oct 2018, 17:00

Video: Iranian fast attack boats harass USS Essex featuring F-35Bs.

https://twitter.com/Capt_Navy/status/10 ... 2310184961

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 13 Dec 2018, 23:18

USS John C. Stennis, USS Essex Conduct Joint Operations In Arabian Sea
13 Dec 2018 Ben Werner

"The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) started integrated operations in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday, supporting operations in Afghanistan. “Carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups are inherently flexible maneuver forces, and these high-end integrated operations illustrate our commitment to the Central Region and demonstrate our ability to deliver naval combat power at a time and place of our choosing,” Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, said in a statement....

...The crews and fighters from both Stennis and Essex are expected to conduct a series of joint exercises, including an in-flight refueling of an F-35 from an F/A-18F Super Hornet, and cross-deck training of deck, supply, intelligence, media, and medical personnel, according to a 5th Fleet statement....

...In October, Wasp-class amphibious warship USS Essex (LHD-2) entered the Persian Gulf, bringing for the first time a squadron of Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters to the region through the Strait of Hormuz...."

Photo: "Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) transits the Gulf of Aden during a vertical replenishment while on a regularly scheduled deployment of Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). US Navy Photo" https://news.usni.org/wp-content/upload ... 714153.jpg

Source: https://news.usni.org/2018/12/13/39636

marauder2048 · by **marauder2048** » 15 Dec 2018, 05:54

Arming F-35B with GBU-49 aboard the Essex.

https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4968026/uss-essex-2018-deployment

sferrin · by **sferrin** » 15 Dec 2018, 14:57

Cue haters, "OH MAH GERD, NO STEALTH!!!".

marsavian · by **marsavian** » 15 Dec 2018, 19:53

Less stealth but probably still under 1 sq m frontal but if it can jam radars locking onto accompanying F-16s it can do the same for itself in that configuration which is a subtlety lost on haters. The F-35 will be hard to shoot down in any configuration.

doge · by **doge** » 29 Oct 2019, 18:30

I apologize in advance. :notworthy:

I'm sorry if the photo like this has already been posted. :notworthy:

Did everyone, notice that a Kill mark(or Mission mark?) was painted on the VMFA-211 F-35B landing gear door?

It's...painted on the right side landing gear door! :shock:

Everyone too, please pay gaze try to look at the landing gears door if you see the photos of F-35B from now on! :drool:

sprstdlyscottsmn · by **sprstdlyscottsmn** » 29 Oct 2019, 18:43

I wonder what the three different marking types represent.

quicksilver · by **quicksilver** » 29 Oct 2019, 19:38

Great catch. My guess — one is jdam, one is gbu-12 (although a couple look more like missiles), one is gun usage (maybe...it’s the reticle lookin thing, or maybe it’s a buddy lase).