{"id":18088,"date":"2019-03-01T00:51:43","date_gmt":"2019-03-01T00:51:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/03\/01\/this-is-whats-going-on-with-the-navys-f-35c-program\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:02:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:02:10","slug":"this-is-whats-going-on-with-the-navys-f-35c-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2019\/03\/01\/this-is-whats-going-on-with-the-navys-f-35c-program\/","title":{"rendered":"This is what\u2019s going on with the Navy\u2019s F-35C program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Navy\u2019s F-35C, the carrier variant of the Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, has reached Initial Operating Capability, service leaders told Navy Times on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news about the Navy\u2019s stealthy jet program came two months after officials declared the F-35Cs flown by the Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron 147 became qualified for carrier landings and launches and had been deemed safe for flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IOC declaration indicates that the squadron in on track to deploy on board the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson in 2021. The Argonauts reached the milestone by having 10 F-35Cs in the squadron, with the requisite spare parts, support equipment, tools, technical publications as well as training and logistics programs to support them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re very proud of what our Sailors have accomplished in the Joint Strike Fighter community,\u201d said Capt. Max McCoy, commander of the Joint Strike Fighter Wing, in a Thursday statement emailed to Navy Times. \u201cWe will continue to learn and improve ways to maintain and sustain F-35C as we prepare for first deployment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the last day of the month, the IOC announcement also fulfilled a Navy promise that the squadron would achieve IOC status in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe F-35C is ready for operations, ready for combat and ready to win,\u201d said Vice Adm. DeWolfe \u201cBullet\u201d Miller III \u2014 the Navy\u2019s \u201cAir Boss\u201d who commands Naval Air Forces \u2014 in the statement. \u201cWe are adding an incredible weapon system into the arsenal of our carrier strike groups that significantly enhances the capability of the joint force.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t