The Jet Stream - July 17, 2015 by The Jet Stream

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Friday, July 17, 2015 Vol. 50, No. 287 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.

“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”

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F-35B in Beaufort One Year Anniversary

See page 6 Photo by Cpl. Patrick McMahon

The first F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, July 17, 2014. The aircraft was the first to join VMFAT501 at MCAS Beaufort since relocating from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 commenced operations with the F-35 aboard Eglin AFB in May 2012.

Tobacco cessation aboard the Air Station Help for those who want it Story and Photos by: Lance Cpl. Samantha Torres Staff Writer

It is the responsibility of the Marines and Sailors to care for themselves and each other to maintain good health and a professional appearance for mission readiness.

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort order 6200.2 states the dangers of tobacco use, and the benefits of prevention and cessation programs. The order also informs personnel about designated and off-limit smoking areas aboard the Air Station. “From the health standpoint, it’s a horrible thing,” said Kathy Williams, the health promotion coordinator of Marine Corps Community Services. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death, and can lead to diseases and disabilsee

TOBACCO, page 4

Photo by Cpl. Brendan Roethel

Marine Corps Community Services is slated to host a Tactical Athlete Competition July 28-30 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Exercises in the competition include farmer carries, tire flips, sprints, cone drills, broad jumps, and kneeling ball throws.

Are you the ultimate tactical athlete? Story by Lance Cpl. Jonah Lovy Staff Writer Tobacco cessation is encouraged aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort to ensure Marines and Sailors are healthy and mission ready. The surgeon general’s warning is on every tobacco product, and shows the dangers of using their products.

Corps Community Services is slated to hold a Tactical Athlete Competition July 28-30 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Do you have what it takes to become The challenges in the competition will the ultimate tactical athlete? Marine be based on the rigorous fundamentals see

HITT, page 8

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Games and Entertainment

Friday, July 17, 2015

MCAS Beaufort Movie Schedule

Saturday 2 p.m. PG (1:35)

Mess Hall Menu

Saturday 4:30 p.m. PG-13 (1:54)

Saturday 7 p.m. PG-13 (1:38)

MCRD Parris Island Movie Schedule

Monday - Friday Saturday, Sunday Breakfast: 6 - 7:30 a.m. and holidays Lunch: 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Brunch: 8:30 - 11 a.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m. Midrats Sunday - Thursday 11:30 p.m. - 1 a.m. Takeout window hours Breakfast - Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Lunch - Mon. - Fri. 12:45 p.m. - 4 p.m. Dinner - Mon. - Fri. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday Lunch Bayou jerk pork loin and rice Lunch Salmon with cucumber relish

Dinner Shrimp cocktail, fried chicken, steak

Sunday

Dinner Baked ziti with italian sausage

Monday - Friday Breakfast Hot farina, hot hominy grits and oven-fried bacon Monday Dinner Lunch Spicy shrimp with Baked smoked ham cheesy grits and sweet potatoes Tuesday Dinner Lunch Herbed roast pork Chicken and dumploin with pan gravy lings and rice Wednesday Dinner Lunch Manhattan clam Roast turkey and chowder green beans Thursday Dinner Lunch Apple glazed corn Arroz con pollo and beef and squash garlic bread Friday Lunch Herbed baked chicken and carrots

Sunday 2 p.m. PG (1:35)

Dinner Chili macaroni and green beans

Chapel Services Roman Catholic • 9:30 a.m. - Sunday Mass • Confession takes place before Mass • Confession Monday - Thursday at noon Protestant • 9:45 a.m. - Protestant Church School (Sunday School) • 11 a.m. - Protestant Sunday Worship Service (Children’s church is also available at this time) • 5 p.m. - Wednesday Protestant Bible Study • 5 p.m. - Saturday Worship Service at Laurel Bay Youth Center Buddhist • 11 a.m. - Saturday Worship Service in the Chapel Fellowship Hall Labyrinth Walk • 8 a.m - 4 p.m. - Monday in the Chapel Fellowship Hall Other Faith Groups • For Jewish, Mormon and Islamic support, contact the Chaplain’s Office at 228-7775

Sunday 4:30 p.m. PG-13 (1:54)

Sunday 7 p.m. R (2:00)

F-35 Word Search S I G N T R O P P U S R I A G Q H T B Y P N W L I S C H H C Q K E E Z O J F A U J Y U Y L O C K H E E D M A R T I N E N O X W F R E C O N N A I S S A N C E K D I O N E Y E A R A N N I V E R S A R Y T N W T C W G S S K R B K C I K V H S J Y T L O I X N Q B H G A O H R M M N R Q J S K M U H I U E M N W W G J G O M B D J T D S A D D A M J I P U V N I W R X Y X R E H H F N D R K N T A Q S Z P N F C S I W O S D A R G M T C G S V I O M X J V K C R N X L O P X H F I P L T L E L B A E I T T D L N I C G M G O T Q D B E W N F Z T X Y A L P S I D T E M L E H N M Y I Y A T Y C Y D A L S O U U N Z U W X C G H K Q N I S T E A L T H F I G H T E R H F E Z P T O A X H D F I H X C D H J T T Z O B L R T R A I N I N G U O W M H I E W F R A E F H R H I I R D W M K B T M R E F X P V H C S Z F O W I G Z S V Q K Air support Helmet DisplayAIR SUPPORT PILOTS Joint Strike Fighter HELMET DISPLAY LightningRECONNAISSANCE

Word Bank

JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER

Sudoku

Pilots

SHORT Reconnaissance TAKEOFF MISSIONS LIGHTNING TRAINING Short Takeoff SQUADRON ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY Squadron LOCKHEED MARTIN VERTICAL LANDING STEALTH FIGHTER

July 10th solution

Hotlines

MCAS Beaufort Station Inspector Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Force Protection information and concerns PMO Dispatch Severe Weather and Force Protection

228-7789 228-6904 228-6924

July 10th solution

228-6710 1-800-343-0639

Sexual Assault The contact number for a Uniformed Victim Advocate is 592-0646. This number can get you in contact with a UVA 24 hours a day.

Fraud, Waste and Abuse

If you know of or suspect any fraud, waste or abuse aboard MCAS Beaufort, call 228-7777. If you know of or suspect any fraud, waste or abuse within MAG-31, call (252) 466-5038. The automated answering service on these lines is available 24 hours a day.

Answer to this week’s puzzles will be available in next week’s edition of The Jet Stream.

Command Information

The Jet Stream

Fightertown deployed: VMFA-251 Thunderbolts

VMFA(AW)-224 Bengals

are currently deployed aboard the USS Roosevelt as part of the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

are currently deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

Fightertown fun fact:

How Merritt Field earned its name During his time as a pilot, Merritt became one of the first Marine aviators qualified to fly off aircraft carriers, and is credited with developing the concepts of dive bombing and close air support. His advocacy of air power was instrumental in helping integrate aviation into Marine combat doctrine. During WWII, Merritt was reassigned to command the 4th Marine Air Wing in the Central Pacific where his leadership was instrumental in the success of the Tarawa and Kwajalein Air Campaigns, and critical air support of Marine Corps amphibious operations in the Pacific. General Merritt was the only Marine Corps aviator to serve in both Europe and Asia during World War II. After the war, Merritt served on President Harry S. Truman’s Strategic Bombing Survey, which examined U.S. bombing successes against Japanese targets, and retired from the Marine Corps in 1947. He passed away at Fort Sam Houston, Texas March 24, 1974. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Brain Teaser Jim and Wanda both have some apples. If Jim gives Wanda an apple, they will both have the same number of apples. However, if Wanda gives Jim an apple, Jim will have twice as many as Wanda.

How many apples do Jim and Wanda each have?

July 10th Brain Teaser solution: The Lion & Unicorn said their statements on a Thursday talking about Wednesday.

Did you know... July 18, 1918: The 4th Brigade of Marines began an attack near Soissons, France, as part of a threedivision counterattack against the Germans. In the first two days of battle, the brigade sustained 1,972 casualties.

have detachments currently deployed to the Western Pacific supporting VMFA-251, VMFA-312, and VMFA(AW)-224.

are currently deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

In 1975, the airfield aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort was renamed in honor of Maj. Gen. Lewie Merritt, an early aviator in the Marine Corps. It is now known as Merritt Field. Merritt served over 30 years in the Marine Corps, including service in World War I at Belleau Wood and as an aviator during World War II. Lewie Merritt was born on June 26, 1897 in Ridge Springs, S.C. In 1917, Merritt graduated from The Citadel at the age of 19 and was commissioned into the Marine Corps. In 1918, he served in France during World War I. Following the war, Merritt served on the staff of two Marine Corps Commandants and was the commander of the Marine detachment on the battleship USS New Mexico. In 1923, Merritt began training as a naval aviator at Pensacola Naval Air Station; he graduated as an aviator the next year.

MALS-31 Stingers

VMFA-312 Checkerboards

Story by: Cpl. Brendan Roethel Public Affairs Chief

Friday, July 17, 2015

Effective June 1, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort will be in Tropical Cyclone Condition V for Hurricane season until Nov. 30. There are currently no threats. Due to El Nino conditions, it’s likely to be a below average tropical cyclone season for the Atlantic. NOAA is predicting 6-11 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes, and 0-2 major hurricanes. Monitor local weather sources to stay up to date and be prepared.

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Courtesy Photo

Maj. Gen. Lewie Merritt

Happenings • The Single Marine Program is slated to hold a trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. open to all eligible single Marines and sailors, Sept. 3-7. The trip costs $125. Payment is due by July 31, and includes transportation and hotel costs. • Marine Corps Community Services is slated to hold a Tactical Athlete Competition July 28-30, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The challenges in the competition will be based on the High Intensity Tactical Training program

• The entrance ramps and a portion of Geiger Blvd. leading up to the main gate will be closed to be repaved and repainted Friday Aug. 14 at 5 p.m., and will reopen Monday Aug. 17 at 6 a.m. Cunningham St., aboard the Air Station, will also be closed off to traffic during this time, as the cement barriers on Geiger Blvd. will be stored there.

• The detention ponds located in the Freedom Sound neighborhood of Laurel Bay housing are off • The photocopying of U.S. Government identification cards is a violation limits to all personnel. ‘No fishing of Title 18, U.S. Code Part 1, Chapter allow’ and ‘Keep out’ signs have been posted on the fences encir33, Section 701 and punishable by cling ponds. fine and imprisonment.

Tri-Command Weather 7 Day Forecast

Public Affairs Officer Capt. Clayton Groover

Public Affairs Chief Cpl. Brendan Roethel

Community Relations/Staff Writers Lance Cpl. Samantha K. Torres Lance Cpl. Jonah V. Lovy

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Editor’s note: We at The Jet Stream care about our reader’s opinion. In reaching our goal to put out the best possible product, we understand the importance of your feedback. Please add a comment to the “How can we improve The Jet Stream?” topic on our www. facebook.com/MCASBeaufort discussion board on how we can better your base newspaper. Published by the Savannah Morning News, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, or Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., under exclusive written contract with the United States Marine Corps. This commercial-enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Marine Corps or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD, the Marine Corps, the Navy, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., or the Savannah Morning News of the products or services advertised. Everything in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the contractor shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content (i.e., all content other than paid advertisements) is edited, prepared and provided by the public affairs office of the installation. All queries concerning news and editorial content should be directed to: Jet Stream, Marine Corps Public Affairs Office, P.O. Box 55001, MCAS Beaufort, S.C., 29904 or (843) 228-7225. All queries concerning business matters or display ads should be directed to the Savannah Morning News at (843) 815-0800.

Forecast according to accuweather.com

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Friday, July 17, 2015

Tobacco continued from page 1

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha K. Torres

There are designated and off limits areas for tobacco use aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. All smoking areas should be 50 feet from a structural building or entrance way, or away from common areas where there are nonsmokers.

ity, and causes more than 480,000 deaths in the United States annually, including second hand smoke. “Second hand smoke is just as bad as first hand smoke, especially for young children and babies whose lungs have not fully developed yet,” said Williams. There are over 4,000 ingredients in a single cigarette. The key ingredient that causes addiction is Nicotine. “Nicotine is one of the hardest drugs to kick,” said Williams. “It’s more addictive than cocaine or heroin.” Chewing tobacco, or dip, can be more addicting than cigarettes, because of its direct contact with the soft tissue in the mouth, said Williams. The effects of tobacco use on the body are dangerous. With today’s technology it makes it easier to inform the world about the harm it can cause. “When commercials about the

side effects and the dangers of tobacco came out on TV, we had an increase in people attend our tobacco cessation class,” said Williams. “It’s graphic, and people were really paying attention to it.” Tobacco cessation classes are offered every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., to active duty service members at the Branch Medical Clinic aboard the Air Station. “Just like those who don’t smoke, people who quit develop a heightened sense of smell and sensitivity to smoke, and didn’t realize how bad they smelled prior,” said Williams. The American Cancer Society offers programs and advice for tobacco cessation, and can help those willing to quit. Before stopping to go buy another pack, think about how tobacco use can affect mission readiness and overall health.

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Friday, July 17, 2015

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Around The Corps

Friday, July 17, 2015

One year and counting: It’s where they started

Story by: Lance Cpl. Samantha K. Torres Staff Writer

July 17, 2015 marks the one year anniversary of the F-35B Lightning II’s arrival to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 and the Pilot Training Center aboard the Air Station, have trained 16 F-35 pilots to date, and have flown 5,551.5 hours. The F-35’s journey to Beaufort began in 1997, when Lockheed Martin was selected to participate in the Joint Strike Fighter demonstration phase. Lockheed Martin won the competition with their X-35 model, and thus came along the F-35. Production began a few years later, and in 2006, the first F-35 rolled off the production line. The lineage of VMFAT-501 can be traced back to the 1940s when Marine Fighting Squadron 451 was activated at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, Calif. After multiple squadron re-designations, duty station relocations, and aircraft changes, VMFAT-501 uncased its colors aboard MCAS Beaufort July 11, 2014 and received its first F-35B on July 17, nearly a week later. The F-35B has short take off and vertical landing capabilities, meaning it only needs approximately 550 feet of runway to execute a short takeoff, which is about a third of the takeoff distance of the F/A-18. Along with its stealth fighter capabilities, the jet has 43,000 pounds of thrust, according to Lockheed Martin. The jet is capable of carrying up to 18,000 pounds of ordnance, and can reach speeds up to 1,200 mph, slightly faster than the F/A-18. The jet also has a mounted helmet display system to provide pilots with unprecedented situational awareness. Everything the pilot needs to see is projected on the helmet’s visor, rather than on a traditional heads-up display. The F-35s distributed aperture system streams real time imagery from six infrared cameras mounted around the aircraft to the helmet, allowing pilots to ‘look through’ the airframe. Working hand in hand, the Pilot Training Center and VMFAT-501 train the Corps’ future pilots to use these capabilities as tactically and lethally as possible. “The mission of the squadron is to train pilots and maintenance Marines for the F-35,” said Lt. Col. Joseph T. Bachmann, the commanding officer of VMFAT-501. “We currently have 16 pilots, and are threequarters away from the pilot training requirements for the year.” The aircraft meets all expectations, but still needs to go through many tests, according to Sgt. Maj. Eric Siddons, the sergeant major of VMFAT-501 The squadron works alongside the UK

Photo by Cpl. Patrick McMahon

The first F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 arrives at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, July 17, 2014. In the past year, VMFAT-501 and the Pilot Training Center aboard the Air Station, have trained 16 F-35 pilots to date, and have flown 5,551.5 hours.

Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to build a working relationship with the F-35 program. Royal Air Force personnel began arriving in July 2014. On Feb. 3, VMFAT-501 welcomed its first UK F-35. There is one UK pilot currently assigned to VMFAT-501along with 14 maintainers and one officer. “Jets will start to roll off the production line early to mid-next year, and will slowly increase until 2018,” said Squadron Ldr. Hugh Nichols, the UK senior national representative with VMFAT-501. “Day to day, we do a little bit of everything,” said Nichols. “From teaching the new pilots, which is our main focus, to generating a syllabus as we look at new capabilities and roles the F-35 can fill, and how we can teach them to the new pilots.” “I think it’s a huge achievement with how complex the program is, the different services we’ve got, and different languages,” said Nichols. “The fact that we

can mesh it all together is a great achievement. “The concept of us working together is that we will all come out at the end of this with a right way of operating the F-35, as opposed to the Marine Corps or UK way, to meet a middle ground,” said Nichols. With the combined effort of the two nations, they are able to figure out the most sufficient, safe, and tactical ways to operate the F-35. “We had a successful six-week evolution on the USS Wasp in May,” said Siddons. “But the big test will be when we go somewhere like Afghanistan and wonder if the jet will fulfill the expeditionary requirements that the F/A-18 currently does.” Training the future of Marine Corps Aviation is the mission of VMFAT-501, and it won’t be much longer until there is an operational squadron aboard MCAS Beaufort. “The future is bright, but there is a lot of work to be done in the next few years,”

said Nichols. “We can perform close air support, armed reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions all from the same jet,” said Bachmann. “That’s what’s exciting about it. We have the element of surprise. What we can do and see for the Marines on the ground is amazing.” The F-35 Lightning II is referred to as a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth capabilities with fighter aircraft speed and agility, fully-fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced logistics and sustainment, according to Lockheed Martin. “It’s been a great first year here in Beaufort,” said Siddons. “It’s been challenging, but the Marines, Lockheed Martin, and our UK brethren have come together, and are meeting and exceeding all expectations for the F-35. The Marines here work long hard hours, but I know it’s rewarding to them to see their fellow Marines and pilots exceed expectations every day.”

Courtesy Photo

An F-35B Lightning II pilot executes aerial refueling training to prepare for situations where the aircraft needs to remain airborne longer or carry large amounts of ordnance into the skies. The aircraft is assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, Marine Aircraft Group 31.

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Friday, July 17, 2015

F-35 milestones from the past year

When it arrived at MCAS Beaufort:

VMFAT-501 receives first F-35B

Story by: Sgt. John Wilkes Former Jet Stream Staff

The first F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, July 17, 2014. The aircraft is the first to join VMFAT-501 at MCAS Beaufort since relocating from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. late last week. The squadron was temporarily located at Eglin EFB, in order to allow infrastructure upgrades to support VMFAT-501’s mission aboard MCAS Beaufort. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 commenced operations with the F-35 aboard Eglin AFB in May 2012. “The F-35 is the most advanced fighter in the world,”said Lt. Col. Joseph Bachmann, the commanding officer of Marine

Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 and F-35B pilot whom piloted the aircraft into Beaufort. “The best part about this aircraft getting here today is for the Marines to start working on completing the maintenance training and getting ready to start organic operations within the end of the year.” The F-35 will replace the Marine Corps’ aging legacy tactical fleet. In addition to replacing the F/A-18A-D Hornet, the Marine Corps will replace the AV-8B Harrier and EA-6B Prowler, essentially necking down to one common tactical fixed-wing aircraft. The integration of the F-35 will provide the dominant, multi-role, fifth-generation capabilities needed across the full spectrum of combat operations to deter potential adversaries and enable future naval aviation power projection. The F-35B’s Short Takeoff Vertical Landing (STOVL) capability will allow the Marine Corps to operate in harsh conditions

and from remote locations where few airfields are available for conventional aircraft. It is also specifically designed to operate from amphibious ships—a capability that no other tactical aircraft possesses. “Today marks a new chapter in Marine Corps aviation,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Fitzgerald, the former executive officer of MCAS Beaufort. “We’re extremely proud of all the Marines, sailors and civilians that made it possible for the F-35 to touchdown today in Beaufort and call it home. “We must remember that our adversaries mean to do us harm so it is very important for us to stay one step ahead of our enemies on the cutting edge of technology in order to support our warfighters.” Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is the Marine Corps’ only F-35B training site, allowing the Navy to expand F-35C training capacity at Eglin AFB. Photo by Cpl. Patrick McMahon

How F-35B pilots are trained: First F-35B training course takes off Story and Photo by: Cpl. Brendan Roethel Public Affairs Chief

The Pilot Training Center and Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 are slated to kick off the first F35B Lightning II pilot training course, also known as the F-35B Safe for Solo course, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Oct. 6, 2014. The three-month course is the formal instruction period that trains and certifies pilots to fly the F-35B. Upon successful completion, pilots will earn the Military Occupational Specialty 7518, F-35B pilot. Throughout the course, Marine aviators will learn everything from basic familiarization for flying the aircraft to executing missions and flying in various weather conditions. “During an AV-8B Harrier or F/A-18A The Pilot Training Center and Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 kicked off the first F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter pilot Hornet course, the majority of the training course, also known as the F-35B Safe for Solo course, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Oct. 6, 2014. training is in the mechanics of the jet such as how to work the radar,” said Maj. Carlton A. Wilson, “The PTC teaches pilots about the F-35 in a classroom and “Most of the pilots coming through the course at the start the executive officer for VMFAT-501. “[The F-35] is so much flight simulator setting taught by civilian instructors with will have gone on at least one deployment in either the Hareasier to fly. We are able to spend less time teaching about prior military flight experience,” Wilson said. “After learning rier or the Hornet, and have a number of hours and differthe mechanics of flying the jet, and start teaching advanced new concepts in the classroom and successfully applying ent qualifications under their belt,” Wilson said. “At the end concepts at a much earlier stage in training.” them in the flight simulator, the pilots will take what they of the day, for pilots with prior training on the Hornets and According to Wilson, by spending less time teaching learned to the squadron. At the squadron, they will apply Harriers, it is just another jet. The only thing the pilots really about the mechanics of flight and spending more time the newly learned fundamentals by actually flying the F-35 have to do is apply what they already know to a different teaching concepts, F-35 pilots will be capable of making under the supervision of active-duty military instructors.” aircraft.” independent decisions at an earlier stage in their career The first pilot class will consist of two aviators with prior This first class is the next step of many in the transition which allows for decentralized execution and aligns well Hornet or Harrier experience. After the first class of aviators from the Corps’ aging legacy tactical fleet to the F-35, which with the Marine Corps warfighting philosophy. graduate, class sizes will increase gradually to approximate- will provide the dominant, multi-role, fifth-generation caThe joint mission of VMFAT-501 and the PTC is to train pi- ly 20 Marines. Within the next year, EA-6B Prowler pilots pabilities needed across the full spectrum of combat operalots to go out to the operating forces in order to execute the and new Marine Aviators will begin filling seats in the class tions to deter potential adversaries and enable future naval missions assigned to the F-35. which will consist of a more rigorous course of instruction. aviation power projection.

Recent feat: Marines begin F-35B Operational Trials Story and Photo by: Maj. Paul Greenberg Headquarters Marine Corps

ARLINGTON, Va. – Six U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II jet aircraft boarded the USS WASP off the coast of the United States’ Eastern Seaboard to mark the beginning of the first shipboard phase of the F-35B Operational Test (OT-1) May 18. The at-sea period will continue aboard USS WASP for two weeks, with fleet representative aircraft and maintenance personnel from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 22, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons 13 and 31. OT-1 will assess the integration of the F-35B while operating across a wide array of flight and deck operations. Specific OT-1 objectives include demonstrating and assessing day and night flight operations in varying aircraft configurations; digital interoperability of aircraft and ship systems; F-35B landing signal officer’s launch and recovery software; day and night weapons loading; and all aspects of maintenance, logistics, and sustainment support of the F-35B while deployed at sea. Additionally, the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps team is working Six F-35B Lightning II’s board the USS Wasp for the first session of operational testing, May 18. Data and information gathered will lay the closely with Naval Sea Systems Command to assess groundwork for F-35 deployments aboard Navy amphibious ships and the announcement of the Marine Corps’ initial operating capability specific modifications made to USS WASP to sup- of the F-35 in July. The aircraft are with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, Marine Aircraft Group 31. port future deployments. “The F-35 Lightning II is the most versatile, agile and tech- Aviation. “As we modernize our fixed-wing aviation assets for the groundwork for F-35B deployments aboard U.S. Navy nologically-advanced aircraft in the skies today, enabling our the future, the continued development and fielding of the amphibious carriers following the Marine Corps’ F-35B initial Corps to be the nation’s force in readiness, regardless of the short take-off and vertical landing, the F-35B remains the cen- operating capability declaration planned for this coming July. threat, and regardless of the location of the battle,” said Lt. terpiece of this effort.” For more information about OT-1 and other Marine Corps Gen. Jon Davis, the Deputy Commandant for Marine Corps Data collected and lessons learned during OT-1 will lay operations, visit our website at www.marines.mil.

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HITT continued from page 1

of the High Intensity Tactical Training program, said Kelly Colon, a personal trainer and HITT instructor aboard MCAS Beaufort. The HITT program provides an alternative source of strength and conditioning training for combat readiness. The program includes a research-based curriculum coupled with practical application to develop warrior athletes, and follows national standards set by the National Strength and Conditioning Agency. Events from the HITT program include farmer carries, tire flips, sprints, cone drills, broad jumps, and kneeling ball throws. “Our main objective when we do these courses is to teach Marines how to prevent injuries and still get a good workout in,” said Colon. The male and female with the top scores will be invited to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., to compete in the finals. “A lot of bragging rights go with this and you only get one shot,” said Colon. Registration forms are available at the fitness center aboard MCAS Beaufort. To compete in the challenge you must be an active duty Marine. For more information call 228-6412.

Photo by Cpl. Brendan Roethel

Marine Corps Community Services will hold a Tactical Athlete Competition July 28-30 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The challenges in the competition are based on exercises in the High Intensity Tactical Training program.

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