Cherry Point Air Force Base receives first F-35B Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jets after 15 years of waiting

US Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point has finally received its first F-35B Lightning II short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft. The fifth-generation fighters arrived on deployment this week.

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Airbase management held a special ceremony to mark the arrival of the first two aircraft. Six squadrons of F-35B Lightning II fifth-generation fighters will be formed at Cherry Point in the future.

The aircraft has a suite of sensors to support a high level of situational awareness in combat space. Colonel J.T. Bardo made the announcement. He also called the F-35B the most advanced fighter in service with the US Marine Corps.

The F-35B will supplant the Harrier, which has been based at Cherry Point for about half a century. Colonel Brendan Burks said deliveries of the first fighters had to wait 15 years. He said the planes would boost aviation on the East Coast and provide a $2.19 billion boost to the region's economy.

Lockheed Martin and the US Department of Defence are expected to send 60 fifth-generation fighters to Cherry Point base. However, Colonel Brendan Burks has not ruled out that the number of F-35Bs will increase to 96 units.

Source: wcti12