Page 11 - F-35B and USMC

The Integration of the F-35B into USMC Operations

This ship would normally carry 1500 Marines, with a surge capacity of 1800. Two battalion of
Marines, Americas most potent weapon, the Marine Rifleman.

Can you discuss the big Picture deployment to Japan? How does tomorrows demo fit in with it?

We are investigating the right mix of assets on the ship to support the MEU. Is it 6 or 8 F-35Bs? We want a
solid deployment, move out to Japan and establish normal operations as a 5th Gen platform in the Pacific
Region. We’ve been planning for this for a long time.
I want to send F-35s to Japan and have them operate as successfully as we do in Yuma, AZ & Beaufort, SC and
extend this 5th Gen capability for our forces in the Asia Pacific. I think its tailor made for that region.

It has an incredible capability, it’s got great sensors, great weapons, great radars, great agility, great flexibility,
and its tailor made for a dynamic region like the Asia Pacific.

Our Harriers have a set amount of capability, and we’ve been deploying our MEUs with Harriers but the Harrier
is not as combat capable as an F-35. I mean for the full range of military operations. We’d always say “if its
really a bad air to air (A2A) threat, get some additional jets up there, get some more capability.”

I have no pause or hesitation that this jet will dominate in an A2A environment, would dominate in a strike
environment, dominate in a CAS environment, and would also do a very nice job in an electronic warfare realm as
well. And I think that we talk about higher threat systems out there.

We do a good job escorting our assault support platforms, with our attack helicopters. But our jets do helicopter
escort as well and I think the F-35B is going to be one of those escort platforms that we are going to rely on for
MV-22s, certainly for going into contested areas.
Can you provide an overview of the mission tomorrow, and the message it sends?

We are doing MV-22 escort with a six ship F-35B strike. Bottom line going into a contested environment, set the
MV-22s down, deliver a notional group of Marines.

Airplanes are dedicated to the escort mission and strikes, some A2A and A2G. So we are practicing what we will
perform for the MEU of the future.
With those final comments the interview came to an end, yet the picture was clear;

The integration of the F-35B with the MAGTF changes everything.

F-35B COMPLETES DT-III ON USS AMERICA

By Todd Miller
11/27/16

The fourth ship to carry the name, the USS America (LHA-6) serves as the flagship for a new class of
amphibious assault ships that is built specifically to support “aerial assault.”

The LHA class utilizes the area on assault ships typically occupied by the “well deck” to provide additional
hangar space, increased are for shipborne aviation maintenance, and additional aviation fuel and weapons
stores.

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