F-35B in the ME for first time

steve2267 · by **steve2267** » 25 Sep 2018, 21:03

In the face of the nascent and rapidly evolving VLO air vehicles and systems-of-systems tactics being developed by the US, modern IADS are the 21st century equivalent of fixed fortifications:

"Fixed fortifications are a monument to the stupidity of man" -- Gen Patton

zerion · by **zerion** » 25 Sep 2018, 21:09

US F-35 fighter jet poised for combat debut
Posted 2:54 p.m. today

By Barbara Starr and Zachary Cohen, CNN

(CNN) — The US Marine Corps' stealth F-35B Lightening fighter jet could fly its first combat mission within days, according to several US defense officials, who told CNN that the fifth-generation aircraft are currently aboard the USS Essex amphibious assault ship and should soon be in a position to conduct airstrikes over Afghanistan.

The USS Essex has already sailed from the Gulf of Aden into the North Arabian Sea and is expected to move into the Persian Gulf in coming days, one official said.

F-35 pilots have been conducting intelligence and surveillance missions in Somalia while on standby to conduct air support for US troops on the ground there if needed.

While available for support, the advanced fighter jet was not used in an airstrike over Somalia on Saturday that killed 18 militants after US and local forces came under attack...

https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/25/politics ... index.html

steve2267 · by **steve2267** » 25 Sep 2018, 22:14

Was not aware we had boots on the ground in Somalia... interesting...

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 25 Sep 2018, 23:31

Aaahhh - another Enlightening Story... for the players. :doh:

zerion · by **zerion** » 26 Sep 2018, 01:12

steve2267 wrote:Was not aware we had boots on the ground in Somalia... interesting...

You weren’t the only one

https://www.businessinsider.com/senator ... on-2017-10

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 26 Sep 2018, 01:18

That report is 11 months old. There has been a lot of news since then and before about US Forces in Africa - where ever.

zerion · by **zerion** » 26 Sep 2018, 16:31

spazsinbad wrote:That report is 11 months old. There has been a lot of news since then and before about US Forces in Africa - where ever.

And...

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 26 Sep 2018, 16:35

What?

quicksilver · by **quicksilver** » 26 Sep 2018, 19:59

CJTF-HOA has been in existence for 15-16 years. US Forces 'doing things' in that part of the world shouldnt be a surprise to anyone.

SpudmanWP · by **SpudmanWP** » 27 Sep 2018, 16:53

USMC Draws First Blood

(CNN)The US military's F-35B joint strike fighter conducted its first-ever airstrike in the last 24 hours, according to three US defense officials.

The strike took place in Afghanistan against a fixed Taliban target. The aircraft involved were the US Marine Corps' variant of the aircraft flying from the USS Essex amphibious assault ship.

(not much) More at the Jump
https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/27/politics ... 1538063463

bayernfan · by **bayernfan** » 27 Sep 2018, 18:03

It's always the range that interest me. What regions are common targets for strikes in Afghanistan? Since ESSEX is in "east Arabian sea", a very big part of Afghanistan is not within the range of F-35B.

steve2267 · by **steve2267** » 27 Sep 2018, 18:08

bayernfan wrote:It's always the range that interest me. What regions are common targets for strikes in Afghanistan? Since ESSEX is in "east Arabian sea", a very big part of Afghanistan is not within the range of F-35B.

Two words: Inflight Refueling

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 27 Sep 2018, 19:05

Marines’ F-35B Joint Strike Fighter Conducts First-Ever Combat Mission over Afghanistan
27 Sep 2018 Megan Eckstein

"The Marine Corps’ F-35B Joint Strike Fighter has conducted its first-ever combat strike, completing a mission in Afghanistan today in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

The jet “conducted an air strike in support of ground clearance operations, and the strike was deemed successful by the ground force commander,” according to a U.S. Marine Corps news release...."

Photo: "U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), stage ordnance before loading it into an F-35B Lightning II aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) in preparation for the F-35B’s first combat strike, Sept. 27, 2018. US Marine Corps photo." https://news.usni.org/wp-content/upload ... 778817.jpg

Source: https://news.usni.org/2018/09/27/36885

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 27 Sep 2018, 19:28

Oh AIR FORCE SPEKE is funni.

US Uses F-35 in Combat for First Time in Afghanistan Airstrike
27 Sep 2018 Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

"A Marine Corps official speaking on background has officially confirmed to Air Force Magazine that one of its F-35B fighters traveling with the Navy amphibious assault ship USS Essex launched an airstrike in Afghanistan "in the past 24 hours," marking the first known combat strike for any US F-35 strike fighter...."

VIDEO "US Marines and sailors with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th MEU aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) conduct flight deck operations in support of the Sept. 27 airstrike. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Francisco Diaz and Lance Cpl. A.J. Fredenberg." https://cdn.dvidshub.net/media/video/18 ... 8-442k.mp4 (16Mb)

Source: http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pag ... trike.aspx

F-35Bs ESSEX 1st Strike 27 Sep 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2o6xl4nQy8

SpudmanWP · by **SpudmanWP** » 27 Sep 2018, 19:28

Take note that the RCS enhancers are still mounted.