Page 34 - F-35B and USMC

The Integration of the F-35B into USMC Operations

They soon learned that you did not want to be an adversary but to leverage what the F-35 brought the
fight.

As they prepared to the deployment to Japan the CO reflected back on his time with the squadron.

“It has been hard work and we have been at the cutting edge of many things with this new aircraft.

The squadron has met the challenges with hard work, innovation and courage and that is how we are
preparing for our first overseas deployment, namely to Japan.”

We concluded by reflecting back over the history of the Green Knights who from the beginning brought
innovation to the fight in the Pacific.

Historically it is interesting to note that VMF-121 was activated in June 1941 and began flying air ground
combat missions in August 1942, with the “Cactus Air Force” on Guadalcanal.

The Green Knights made Marine aviation history with fourteen aces, including the legendary Joe Foss CMH so
the F-35 enabled squadron is making its own aviation history.

Recently, the Vietnam generation “Green Knights: visited Yuma. Together with the F-35 generation Green
Knights, the Vietnam generation Green Knights celebrated the USMC’s 241st birthday on November 19,
2016.

Lt. Col. Bardo commented:
“It was amazing for us to meet with and discuss with the Vietnam-era Green Knights.

Although much has changed; much has not.

What I told the squadron with our visitors present: look at our predecessors and that will be you in a few
years.

You want to be as proud as they are; to look back at your achievements as being the first F-35 squadron and
making aviation history.

You will not focus so much on the hard work we have done over the past two years, but will focus on the
achievements.

And learn from them about how to meet the challenges and serve the nation.”

Biography of Lt. Col. Bardo

Lieutenant Colonel Bardo is a graduate of Whittier College and holds a B.A. in Biology. He was
commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May of 1998 and attended The Basic School that fall. Upon completion,
he began Aviation Preflight training at NAS Pensacola, FL. He conducted his primary flight training in the T-
34C while assigned to VT-28 at NAS Corpus Christi, TX. Following primary flight training, he was reassigned
to VT-22 at NAS Kingsville, TX. He earned his Naval Aviator’s Wings in September of 2001.

He completed fleet replacement training in the AV-8B Harrier at Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 at
MCAS Cherry Point, NC.

In September of 2002, First Lieutenant Bardo reported to MCAS Yuma and was assigned to Marine Attack
Squadron 214.
Second Line of Defense

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