US Air Force, US Marine Corps and US Navy released their expected date for Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the F-35 fighter in...
US Air Force announced it expects to declare F-35A IOC in December 2016, without the 3F software.
The 3F package allows for an expanded engagement envelope and more diverse weapons.
The Air Force will achieve IOC when the first operational squadron has 12 or more aircraft and airmen are trained and equipped to conduct basic close air support, interdiction, and limited suppression and destruction of enemy air defense operations in a contested environment.
The US Navy, however, is holding firm on requiring the full Block 3F configuration for its F-35C IOC date, which it anticipates in late 2018 or early 2019. The USN says it must have the Block 3F configuration to deal with threats in the post-2018 environment.
US Marine Corps expects to reach IOC of the F-35B by December 2015. The USMC is currently on schedule to reach IOC in the F-35B in December of 2015.
The expeditionary, crisis response force requirements for this milestone include an operational squadron with at least 10 aircraft that are capable of performing the prescribed missions of close air support,
offensive and defensive counter air operations, air interdiction, assault
support escort, and armed reconnaissance. Additionally, this squadron must be staffed with Marines properly trained and equipped to execute these missions.
The Marine Corps established Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, its first operational F-35B squadron, in November 2012 with a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona.
Conventional flight operations for the squadron began in January of 2013 with full short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) operations commencing in March 2013.
There are currently six F-35B aircraft at VMFA-121 with approximately 190 Marines assigned to the command.
