Marine Corps, squadron from Beaufort complete 1st operational test of F-35B + video

The Beaufort Gazette

Updated May 27, 2015 12:29 PM

Maj. Adam Perlin prepares for take-off in the F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of USS Wasp (LHD-1) during night operations, a part of Operational Testing 1, May 22. The F-35B is the future of Marine Corps aviation and will be replacing three legacy platforms; the AV-8B Harrier, the F/A Hornet, and the EA-6B Prowler. Perlin is an F-35B pilot as well as an administration and logistics officer for OT-1. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anne K. Henry/RELEASED) Headquarters Marine Corps

BEAUFORT, SC he Marine Corps' F-35B, including a squadron from Beaufort, has successfully completed its first operational testing at sea, according to the Marine Corps Times.

The fighter jet, known for its short takeoff and vertical landing capability, has completed more than 80 successful missions, the Times reported, including some air time Tuesday based off the USS Wasp in the mid-Atlantic. Six pilots are flying day and night missions while working toward an operational milestone in July.

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort's Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501 is one of three squadron's with aircraft involved in this round of testing.

Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2015/05/27/3766656_marine-corps-squadron-from-beaufort.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

This story was originally published May 27, 2015 at 11:38 AM with the headline "Marine Corps, squadron from Beaufort complete 1st operational test of F-35B + video."

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