As a contractor, I have done many jobs on that ship and many others. I have ridden in a CH-46, V22 Osprey, C2 Greyhound and a LCAC. They were all interesting and exciting the first time. 10 minutes into a 35 minute LCAC ride, I was violently puking. There is nothing like getting shot off an aircraft carrier.
Opps... Major Richard Dick Rusnok is a former F-15E pilot... must be on one of the interservice tours... my bust...
My friend, that aircraft belongs to the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis. http://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-35/airframe-profile/6029/
Since it does not require carrier training for cat and tail hook, it comes as no surprise that there are other service's pilots involved. What is critical at this stage is that they are carrier qualifying the aircraft. Neat stuff.
A good augmentation to the F-22 Raptor, but they shouldn't have stopped production on the Raptor. We will miss those extra few hundred fighters when the Big One begins twixt us and either Chinaor Russia. The F-35 is to the Raptor what the F-16 is to the F-15 Eagle - different mission profiles and capabilities.
Yes F-22 is a bad a$$ plane! Hey if you live in vermont please sign the f-35 for vermont petitions. A bunch of hippies up there complaining about getting them. BTW if you move next to an air port there WILL be airplane noise...
I'm sorry, I'm still in the group that believes that Beoing should have won the JSF competition. Like the Beretta pistol contract for the armed services, I can't get that bad taste out of my mouth. Boeing had the superior aircraft.
