Page 24 - F-35B and USMC

The Integration of the F-35B into USMC Operations

Colonel Wellons has held qualifications in the AV-8B, F-5E/F, and F-16C/D. His decorations include the
Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of third award, Air Medal,
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.

http://www.29palms.marines.mil/Leaders/Leaders-View/Article/792387/col-james-b-wellons/

SHAPING A 21ST CENTURY ASSAULT FORCE FROM THE SEA: THE
PERSPECTIVE FROM VMX-1

By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake
12/29/16

Col. Rowell is the first Commanding Officer of VMX-1: Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation
Squadron 1.

VMX-1 includes the operational test & evaluation (OT&E) and science & technology (S&T) activities that have
supported Marine Aviation from HMX-1, VX-9, MACCS-X and MAWTS-1.
One of its predecessors was VMX-22, which was established in 2003 for the express purpose of introducing
the Osprey and shaped its evolving con-ops.

More than a decade later the Marines of VMX-1 are now helping to integrate the F-35B into Marine Air
Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and are preparing for the next new Marine Aviation asset, the CH-53K.

The first CO of VMX-22 was then Colonel Walters.
General Walters is the current Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.

In an earlier interview Col. Walters indicated how the Osprey had changed operations.

They had their normal fair share of general support, resupplies, etc. But we started accelerating their use as my
time there went on, and used them for both the conventional and Special Forces operations.

The beauty of the speed of the Osprey is that you can get the Special Operations forces where they need to be
and to augment what the conventional forces were doing and thereby take pressure off of the conventional
forces. And with the SAME assets, you could make multiple trips or make multiple hits, which allowed us to shape
what the Taliban was trying to do.

The Taliban has a very rudimentary but effective early warning system for counter-air. They spaced guys around
their area of interest, their headquarters, etc. Then they would call in on cell or satellite phones to chat or
track. It was very easy for them to track. They had names for our aircraft, like the CH-53s, which they called
“Fat Cows.”

But they did not talk much about the Osprey because they were so quick and lethal.

And because of its speed and range, you did not have to come on the axis they would expect. You could go
around, or behind them and then zip in. We also started expanding our night operations with the Osprey. We
rigged up a V-22 for battlefield illumination.

Second Line of Defense

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