VMFAT-501 has two F-35Bs, coded VM-23 and VM-28. Does anyone know their BuNo? I don't believe VMFAT-501 has 28 aircraft, so perhaps their modex is related to their c/n or last two digits of their BuNo.
Edit: Seems like 169028 was VM-28 around July 2016 (when the video was uploaded). It then moved to VMFA-211 as CF-11 around October 2016 for the trials aboard USS America, wearing no squadron markings. Perhaps it went back to VMFAT-501 after that. This picture of VM-28 I linked earlier is from April 11, 2017. VM-22 is also visible in the video, no BuNo known.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. NR-133-17
April 14, 2017
U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Fighter Aircraft to Deploy to Europe for Training
The U.S. Air Force will deploy a small number of F-35A Lightning II aircraft this weekend on a long-planned training deployment to Europe. The aircraft are scheduled to conduct training with other U.S. and NATO aircraft based in Europe for several weeks as part of the European Reassurance Initiative.
This training deployment signifies an important milestone and natural progression of the F-35 program, allowing the Air Force to further demonstrate the operational capabilities of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft. It also assists in refining requirements for eventually basing the F-35A in Europe, which is scheduled to receive the aircraft in the early 2020s.
Once the aircraft arrive in Europe, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. European Command will release additional information as it becomes available about the F-35A’s training deployment.
The F-35A is a fifth-generation fighter that provides the joint warfighter unprecedented global precision attack capability against current and emerging threats, while complementing the Air Force’s air superiority fleet. The F-35A is a multi-role precision attack fighter with unmatched lethality, survivability, and interoperability.
U.S. Air Force F-35s making first operational deployment to Europe this weekend
By: Valerie Insinna
Defense News
April 14, 2017
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force’s F-35A is deploying internationally for the first time this weekend, heading to Europe to conduct training exercises with NATO allies, the Pentagon announced Friday. The Defense Department offered sparse details about the event, which will involve deploying a “small number” of F-35As from the 388th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah to an undisclosed location in Europe.
The Joint Strike Fighters will take off sometime this weekend. After landing, they will then spend several weeks in the region as part of the European Reassurance Initiative, the department’s effort to strengthen military ties with European allies to help deter Russian aggression on the continent.
“This training deployment signifies an important milestone and natural progression of the F-35 program, allowing the Air Force to further demonstrate the operational capabilities of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft,” the Defense Department said in a news release. “It also assists in refining requirements for eventually basing the F-35A in Europe, which is scheduled to receive the aircraft in the early 2020s.”
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
6 F35's arrived, with 2 left behind at Bangor, probably these will arrive later.
They will move around Europe like the F22's did, Fighter Control source says for a period of 2 weeks
Serials (from FC):
13-5072 "388FW" HL
14-5098 HL
14-5094 HL
14-5096 HL
14-5097 HL
14-5102 HL
Correct, 8 aircraft present. Eyeballed 7 aircraft yesterday (13-5081 not seen) and all confirmed. Interesting to see most F-35s can take off without afterburner, while most Eagles use their A/Bs.
