“This is a historical and tremendous accomplishment for the Navy–Marine Corps–Kearsarge team,” said Capt. Rosie Goscinski, commanding officer of Kearsarge. “Our Sailors have trained tirelessly in preparation to certify our flight deck – all whilst building our combat-credible team, with our integration of the F 35s. With these enhanced fifth-generation capabilities, the Blue Green team always stands together ready to meet the mission—wherever and whenever we are called.”
The addition of the F-35B Lightning II expands the ship’s ability to support a broader range of missions central to the Navy-Marine Corps team. Marine Lt. Col. Jorge Couto, commanding officer of VMFA 542, said, “Operating the F-35B from the Kearsarge adds real combat capability to Atlantic-based amphibious forces.”
“It gives us the ability to generate fifth-generation effects wherever they’re needed, without delay,” Couto added. “That only works because of the professionalism and dedication of the ship’s company and the Marines who maintain these aircraft every day.”
Cmdr. Brian Guest, Kearsarge air boss, emphasized the aircraft’s operational impact on the Amphibious Ready Group. “The F-35B Lightning II enhances the full range of ARG capabilities,” he said.
“It is the most capable aircraft to ever support a Marine rifleman on the ground and allows the ARG to support theater wide operations in a peer-level conflict,” Guest added. The professionalism and technical expertise of Sailors and Marines assigned to Kearsarge strengthen the group’s ability to support forces ashore.
The milestone followed extensive preparations and ship modifications. “Kearsarge required extensive modifications throughout the ship to be able to support F-35B Lightning II operations, ranging from significant structural upgrades to the flight deck and to an extensive upgrade to the ship’s combat system suite,” said Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Taylor, mini boss.
Sailors devoted long hours to ensure readiness for the evolution. “It was a great feeling of accomplishment, seeing the aircraft land on the flight deck for the first time,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Aircraft Handling 1st Class Marcquan Mundy.
“It started [during a maintenance period],” Mundy said. “Air department had to come together, getting people to schools, training drills and more.”
He noted that new qualifications had to be earned and procedures mastered. “We had to learn the do’s and don’ts of the aircraft, which is very different from the AV-8B Harrier II,” Mundy said.
“How to tow it, and where we could and couldn’t touch it,” he added. “Everything was worth it. The long hours, set ups and lay ups. Finally, being able to see the product we invested in was worth it.”
The successful integration of the F-35B Lightning IIs concludes a years-long process of upgrades and modifications that began during a maintenance period. “It has been a rewarding experience,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Aircraft Handling 3rd Class Lavarr Jones.
“After the long yard period, being able to do my job, with my shipmates in Air Department, has been really great,” Jones said. The F-35B Lightning II entered service in 2015 and is operated by the United States Marine Corps, with other variants flown by the Navy and Air Force.
