Marine Corps Establishes First F-35B Training Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base

Strategic Insights -

Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 has stood up as the Marine Corps' F-35B Lightning II training squadron, making it the nation's first training squadron for the Joint Strike Fighter. Currently consisting of 37 Marines, the squadron is scheduled to receive its first 20 F-35B aircraft over the next year, allowing for hands-on training of pilots and maintainers. This move marks a significant step in the Marine Corps' transition to the F-35B, which will replace the AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18 Hornet fighter and attack aircraft in the Corps' inventory.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Marine Corps' F-35B training squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, has been established at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
  • The squadron is the nation's first training squadron for the Joint Strike Fighter.
  • The F-35B will replace the AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18 Hornet fighter and attack aircraft currently in the Corps' inventory.
  • The Lightning II is proposed to have electronic countermeasures capabilities like those of the EA-6B Prowler.
  • The training squadron has 37 Marines and is scheduled to receive its first 20 F-35B aircraft over the next year.
  • The F-35B's short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities will be the only version to have this feature.
  • The squadron has a legacy that dates back to World War II as an F4U Corsair squadron.
  • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 451, the squadron's predecessor, was retired in 1997 and reactivated as VMFAT-501.

Statistics:

  • 37 Marines currently make up Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501.
  • 20 F-35B Lightning II aircraft will be received by the squadrons over the next year.
  • The F-35B is designed to replace the AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18 Hornet fighter and attack aircraft in the Corps' inventory.
  • 11 years have passed since the Marine Corps considered purchasing another attack aircraft before adopting the F-35B.
  • The F-35B is the only version of the Joint Strike Fighter with short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities.

Sources:

  • "F-35B Makes History as Marine Corps Makes State-of-the-Art F-35 Power," Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point News
  • "Eglin ceremony marks historic launch of F-35B, Marine Corps' first F-35 squadron," Navylives.net
  • "Training Squadron 501 - Standing on the Shoulders of the Past," Marine Corps Association Foundation