New Fighter Jet Debuts at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

An F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter performed a short takeoff/vertical landing for the first time Friday at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

The new fighter jet is replacing the Marine Corp’s aging legacy tactical fleet. Military officials say the aircraft’s ability to land in austere environments and remote locations where few airfields are available for conventional aircraft will increase the Marine Corp’s expeditionary capabilities including the ability to operate from amphibious ships, a capability no other tactical aircraft possesses.

The landing was executed by Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501’s (VMFAT-501) second F-35B to transfer to the Lowcountry since the squadron relocated from Elgin Air Force Base, Fla. earlier this month.

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