Navy’s First Operational F-35C Squadron Fires Missiles As It Preps For Inaugural Cruise

[rangerrebew]

Navy’s First Operational F-35C Squadron Fires Missiles As It Preps For Inaugural Cruise

The “Argonauts” have been on the road as the USS Carl Vinson readies for historic deployment.
By Jamie Hunter July 28, 2020

    The War Zone
 

The U.S. Navy’s first operational front-line Lockheed Martin F-35C unit, Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) “Argonauts,” has completed two key milestones in preparation for its maiden deployment next year. The squadron will be the first to take the F-35C to sea on a cruise as part of Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) in 2021.

The “Argonauts” completed a Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) in combination with the U.S. Air Force in May and June at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. This was followed by a “5th Generation Advanced Readiness Program” in July at NAS Fallon, Nevada, alongside its fellow CVW-2 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons VFA-2 “Bounty Hunters,” VFA-113 “Stingers,” and VFA-192 “Golden Dragons.”

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/35160/navys-first-operational-f-35c-squadron-fires-missiles-as-it-preps-for-inaugural-cruise

[ironhorsedriver]

Maybe it's because of my time in the Navy, but I still think a more diverse Air Wing is more capable at performing the mission.