The initiative focused on improving coordination between pilots and ground crews during aircraft turnaround operations. Marines used Digital Interoperability (DI) kits compatible with fifth-generation systems to increase efficiency on the flight line.
The DI kit connects hardware, software and networked devices across otherwise incompatible systems. This allows Marines to share situational awareness and coordinate more effectively across the Marine Air Ground Task Force.
Marines identified communication delays and limited awareness on the flight line that slowed maintenance and rearming operations. Jory D. Reed, chief warrant officer 2 and aviation ordnance officer, led efforts to address these gaps using existing and emerging technologies.
“A lot of this came from observing how Marines execute the mission and identifying where time and effort could be streamlined,” Reed said. “The goal was to make those processes both more efficient and repeatable.”
VMFA-251 integrated DI equipment to enhance awareness and securely relay Link 16 data to ground-based tablets. Link 16 provides real-time information including aircraft position, fuel status and mission data between units.
Extending Link 16 to F-35 ground crews allows direct data exchange, improving coordination and planning. This contributes to faster and more efficient aircraft turnaround operations.
Eladio Vega, chief warrant officer 2 and avionics officer, supported integration and operational application of the system. “The DI kit consolidates data from multiple communication systems onto a single platform allowing a cohesive flow of information between different military assets,” Vega said.
“Using the MAGTAB, Marines can view aircraft location, fuel states, and remaining ordnance in real time, giving ground crews advance knowledge of aircraft needs before landing which is something we couldn’t do before,” Vega said.
The improved awareness allows crews to prepare precisely for incoming aircraft and reduce unnecessary equipment movement. It also reduces workload and increases the speed of rearming and refueling operations in resource-limited environments.
“Now we can see what assets the aircraft has expended and what it will require before it even touches down,” Reed said. “That gives us the ability to respond faster and more accurately, preparing exactly what’s needed ahead of time instead of moving excess ordnance and equipment once the aircraft arrives.”
Marines also evaluated a direct communication system using the F-35 Lightning II Internal Communication System. This capability connects maintainers directly to the aircraft and enables real-time communication with pilots without requiring them to exit the cockpit.
“Previously, maintainers relied on relayed communication or were required to wait for pilots to shut down and disembark before troubleshooting could begin.” Reed said. “The direct connection the F-35 Lightning II ICS cable provides immediate coordination; this allows ground crews to diagnose and resolve problems while keeping the aircraft operational.”
Handheld radios were also integrated to expand communication across the flight line. A shared frequency allowed multiple maintenance sections to monitor and communicate directly with pilots in real time.
“This eliminates secondhand communication across the flight line and allows maintainers to respond immediately with the information they receive directly from the pilot,” Vega said. “Now, instead of relying on a single point of contact, multiple maintenance sections can monitor the same frequency and receive information from the pilot in real time.”
Richard Wildenhain supported the integration and evaluation of the systems during training. “MAWTS-1 provides a venue to take concepts like this and apply them in a realistic training environment,” Wildenhain said.
“It allows units to test new capabilities, identify what works, and determine how it can be applied improving efficiency and lethality across the entire Marine Corps,” Wildenhain said.
The collaboration highlights how operational units can develop practical solutions by integrating existing technologies in new ways. These capabilities are expected to improve coordination, increase situational awareness and reduce the time required to generate combat-ready aircraft.
“This is about improving how we operate as a whole and trying new things with the assets we are given,” Vega said. “When we can share information more effectively, we can make better decisions and execute the mission more efficiently.”
