MARINE CORPS VERSION (VERTICAL TAKE OFF) OF THE F-35 EXPECT AT EGLIN NEXT WEEK

The F-35’s continue to keep coming. The Training Squadron continues to grow as the planes arrive and the permanent crews set up shop. Not only are the Flight Instructors setting up shop, the Trainers for the maintenance crews, as well. The F-35B is the plane of choice for the Marine Corp, it is also the plane for the British, who will be training their pilots and maintainers here, as well. My question to my readers. Can we expect to see someone from the Royal family here soon, maybe on a graduation day?

Jet will be valuable because it can land vertically, supporters say
By WENDY VICTORA
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4478 wvictora@nwfdailynews.com  
EGLIN AFB — The first Marine Corps version of the F-35 fighter jet is due to arrive next week, although base officials say they do not know the exact time or date. Military pilots will fly the jet from the headquarters of Lockheed-Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, to Eglin Air Force Base. The Joint Strike Fighter jet is one of 59 expected to be based at the new training center at Eglin. The F-35B, which is a shorttakeoff, vertical-landing variant of the F-35, was put on probation because of technical problems in January by former Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford was quoted in late November saying he was “bullish” on the jet and that it was “no longer in the crosshairs.” He said progress had been made in resolving the technical problems and that the fighter jet had met 98 percent of its test points in 2011. The F-35B made its first vertical sea landing in early October on the deck of the USS Wasp. Supporters of the Marine variant say the F-35B can go where Air Force jets can’t because of its short takeoff ability and ability to land vertically. The first production model of the Air Force variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter arrived at Eglin on July 14. Five others have arrived since then. Eglin spokeswoman Lois Walsh said that a Navy version of the F-35 also will be brought to Eglin in the future.