U.S. Marines pilots fly new F-35B 's out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma to be delivered to Forward Deployed Naval Forces, Japan on March 26. - U.S. Marines pilots fly new F-35B 's out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma to be delivered to Forward Deployed Naval Forces, Japan on March 26.

Capt. Anneliese Satz conducts pre-flight checks prior to a training flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, March 11. Satz graduated the F-35B Lighting II Pilot Training Program June and will be assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 in Iwakuni, Japan. - Capt. Anneliese Satz conducts pre-flight checks prior to a training flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, March 11. Satz graduated the F-35B Lighting II Pilot Training Program June and will be assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 in Iwakuni, Japan.

The Commanding Officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, Lt. Col. John P. Price, conducts a pre-flight check of aircraft in preperation of VMFA-122's first flight operations in an F-35B Lightning II on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., March 29, 2018. VMFA-122 is conducting the flight operations for the first time as an F-35 squadron. - The Commanding Officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, Lt. Col. John P. Price, conducts a pre-flight check of aircraft in preperation of VMFA-122's first flight operations in an F-35B Lightning II on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., March 29, 2018. VMFA-122 is conducting the flight operations for the first time as an F-35 squadron.

An F-35B lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 prepares to take off aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Jan. 9, 2017, as it transits the Pacific en route to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. VMFA-121 is the first operational F-35B squadron in the Marine Corps, with its relocation to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Iwakuni. The F-35B was developed to replace the Marine Corps’ F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier and EA- 6B Prowler. The Short Take-off Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft is a true force multiplier. The unique combination of stealth, cutting-edge radar and sensor technology, and electronic warfare systems bring all of the access and lethality capabilities of a fifth-generation fighter, a modern bomber, and an adverse-weather, all-threat environment air support platform. - An F-35B lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 prepares to take off aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Jan. 9, 2017, as it transits the Pacific en route to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. VMFA-121 is the first operational F-35B squadron in the Marine Corps, with its relocation to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Iwakuni. The F-35B was developed to replace the Marine Corps’ F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier and EA- 6B Prowler. The Short Take-off Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft is a true force multiplier. The unique combination of stealth, cutting-edge radar and sensor technology, and electronic warfare systems bring all of the access and lethality capabilities of a fifth-generation fighter, a modern bomber, and an adverse-weather, all-threat environment air support platform.

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct the first ever hot load on the F-35B Lightning II in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 1-17 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Sept. 22, 2016. The exercise is part of WTI 1-17, a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One cadre. MAWTS-1 provides standardized tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct the first ever hot load on the F-35B Lightning II in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 1-17 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Sept. 22, 2016. The exercise is part of WTI 1-17, a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One cadre. MAWTS-1 provides standardized tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 taxis down the runway after refueling at Red Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. This is the first time that the F-35 conducted close air support missions in support of exercise Steel Knight. - An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 taxis down the runway after refueling at Red Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. This is the first time that the F-35 conducted close air support missions in support of exercise Steel Knight.