Page 25 - F-35B and USMC

The Integration of the F-35B into USMC Operations

A lot of these mission sets were never designed into the V-22 but you put it into the field and configure it to do
the various missions required. And we have new software for the Ospreys in Afghanistan where you can pick your
approach, angle, approach speed and let the aircraft do it all. That is a huge safety gain.

http://www.sldinfo.com/2nd-maw-forward-the-role-of-airpower-in-the-afghan-operation/

We started the interview with Col. Rowell by recalling the original VMX-22 in this manner.

“When we were setting up the office, a Marine came in and said we had some old gear we needed to
dispose of, including an older flight helmet.

I turned the helmet around and the name on it was Walters.

It now occupies the top shelf in my office.”

About 2009, the OT&E missions of HMX-1 were ported over to VMX-22 to work through innovations with the
CH-53E. The same had been done with the attack and light lift/utility helicopters years earlier with VX-9.

All of those missions, along with the F-35B and CH-53K efforts, have taken root in VMX-1 as well.
The unit is one which now has its foot firmly planted into the future while simultaneously shaping today’s fight.

VMX-1’s F-35Bs are at Edwards AFB as part of the Joint Operational Test Team which is working with their
developmental test counterparts to evaluate and integrate the ongoing upgrades of the aircraft.

The VMX-1 F-35Bs will come to Yuma in 2018 and will be the center of excellence for global F-35Bs as
well after the Block 3F software is complete.
VMX-1 will continue to shape the demand side for the F-35B community with regard to upgrades as well.

We asked about how integrated the British have been with Rowell and his Marines.

He noted that there is very close integration.

“It is crucial.

We carrier qualified a Royal Navy pilot onboard the USS America in USMC airplanes.

We are exchangeable.

There is no light between the Brits and the Marines.

FIGURE 7 VMX-1 LOGO

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