Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
    • Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
    • Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
No Result
View All Result
 
New Year, New FREE GUN FRIDAY! Enter to WIN the Smith & Wesson and Black Hills package.

Marines Complete F-35B Lightning II Night Operations Aboard USS Wasp

Tactical-Life by Tactical-Life
August 13, 2015
in News
0
F-35B Lightning night operations USS Wasp

An F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter taxies to be refueled on the flight deck of USS Wasp during night operations, a part of Operational Testing 1, May, 22. The F-35B is the future of Marine Corps aviation and will be replacing three legacy platforms; the AV-8B Harrier, the F/A Hornet, and the EA-6B Prowler. The F-35B is with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

0
SHARES
1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
The following is a courtesy story from the U.S. Marine Corps:

U.S. Marines and sailors worked together to perform night operations with the F-35B Lightning II aboard USS Wasp at sea May 21-23 during Operational Testing 1 (OT-1).

  • RELATED STORY: Recon Marines Participate in 7th Annual Recon Challenge

OT-1 is assessing the operational suitability and effectiveness of the F-35B and is the first shipboard operational test period for the aircraft.

Of the many assessments conducted during OT-1, night operations are a critical task that both the aircraft and pilot must complete. In order to succeed, each pilot had to take off and land the F-35B four times aboard the carrier at night.

“In the developmental phases, the aircraft has been used [by test pilots] in a night environment,” said Maj. Michael H. Rountree Jr., an F-35B pilot and senior training landing signal officer for OT-1 with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. “However, no one has ever done it operationally. So we are taking all the lessons we are learning here and giving them to fleet aviators.”

Although the F-35B is currently the most versatile and technologically advanced aircraft in the skies, obstacles were still set in place to test the abilities of the pilot and performance of the aircraft.

“We use the night pattern for unaided recovery,” said Rountree. “We are not approved to use the night vision camera, or distributed aperture system in the ship environment yet. We are simply using the naked eye to get us onto the ship. We fly an approach that funnels us into a good position to take over and land the jet visually.”

In order for night operations to run smoothly aboard an amphibious carrier, maintenance and communication are critical measures that must be taken by both the pilot and shipboard personnel.

“At nighttime, you have a lot more risk, so safety is paramount,” said Sgt. Daniel Beaston, a power line mechanic with VMFAT-501, MAG-31, 2nd MAW. “You must constantly keep your head on a swivel and be especially watchful. It is also important to maintain communication between yourself and the pilot.”

For the Marines on the flight deck, knowledge and being confident in their various skill sets is critical for everything to run as planned, according to Beaston.

“The smallest breakdown in communication at night can be extremely disastrous and everything can become complicated,” said Beaston.

With the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers being produced in the United Kingdom, members of the Royal Navy and Air Force were embedded into the Marine units to observe, participate and take away from the evolutions during OT-1.

“I have been observing the night operations, and they differ from day operations because of the communication,” said Royal Air Force Leading Hand Martin Williams, a leading aircraft engineering technician embedded into the unit. “The way they get the message across to the pilots is the biggest difference.”

Despite the obstacles and adversities that were put in their way, the Marines left the training confident in their skills and with more knowledge on the capabilities of the F-35B, according to Beaston.

“I went out there for the first time to fly at night and everything went smoothly,” said Rountree. “With the controls and interface between the pilot and aircraft so seamless and the task loading so low, this aircraft is really a joy and a pleasure to fly.”

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life.

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life: Clint Smith Collaborations

The Final Edition of the Walther P99 pistol.

UPDATED: Final Edition Walther P99 Closes Out Model Run

ATF Pistol Stabilizing Brace guidance, fallout

Congressional Review Act to Target ATF Pistol Stabilizing Brace Rule

US Army 6.8mm Round, Next Generation Squad Weapons, M249 SAW

UPATED: Winchester Awarded NGSW Army 6.8 Ammo Contract

Load More

TACTICAL-LIFE NIGHT SHOOTER SEASON 2

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life.

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life: Clint Smith Collaborations

It feels like 2023 just started, and we’re already bringing you the second issue of the new year. Proof that...

Read more

TRENDING

U.S. Secret Service adopts Glock G47

FIRST LOOK: Glock Just Very Quietly Unveiled the New Glock 47 Pistol

...

5 new pistols launched at NASGW.

5 New Pistols Launching for 2023

...

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: The Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

...

The new Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 pistol packs 22+1.

Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Packs 22+1 Rounds of Firepower!

...

PICK A CATEGORY

TACTICS & TRAINING SPOTLIGHT

Tactical Reload Semi-Auto Pistol Step 8

5 Strategies For Effectively Completing a Tactical Reload

If you’re reading this publication, you’re most likely familiar with the “speed reload,” sometimes called the “combat reload” or “emergency...

TACTICS & TRAINING SHOWCASE

Fact vs. Fiction 5 Myths Gunfight Survival lead

5 Common Myths on How to Survive a Gunfight

Standing Your Ground Castle Doctrine lead

Understanding Stand Your Ground Laws and Castle Doctrine

long distance shooting tips

Long-Distance Shooting: 5 Must-Know Tips For Spotters & Shooters

IMPACT Experience Events.

IMPACT Experience Events Redefine Your Long-Range Shooting Limits

Enhance your shooting precision skills in a course with Modern Day Sniper.

Sniper Skills: Taking Your Shooting Precision to the Next Level

Once you find a carry gun that works for you, get another for a spare. These “hammerless” S&W J-frame lightweights are M340 M&P with Hogue Bantam grips, top, and a M442 Airweight with Crimson Trace Lasergrips, below.

10 Commandments of Concealed Carry

self-defense myths can be dangerous

Self-Defense Myths that Could Get you Killed

Mossberg 590 Shockwave review for home defense myths

4 Home Defense Myths You Need to Stop Repeating

The Dicken Drill is named for Eli Dicken who saved many lives in the Greenwood Mall

The Elisjsha Dicken Drill

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Remington Ammunition Issues Recall Notice on 12-Gauge Premier Accutip Ammo.

Remington Ammunition Issues a 12-Gauge Premier AccuTip Ammo Recall

Remington Ammunition has recently discovered an issue related to its 12-Gauge Premier Accutip ammo and issued a recall notice. This...

site logo
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun news, gun reviews and gun magazines for gun enthusiasts, military and law enforcement

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • BallisticMag.com

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
  • Knives
  • Gear
    • Holsters
    • Optics & Sights
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Suppressors
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Videos
  • Contact Us

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.