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The Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation (PMA-268) program completed its first aerial refueling of an F-35C Lightning II aircraft by the Boeing-owned MQ-25 test asset, known as T1, as part of the Navy’s broader initiative to field unmanned systems that transform and enhance the fleet’s capability, capacity and lethality. The integrated Navy and Boeing MQ-25 team, in coordination with the F-35…
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Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (VINCSG) and their embarked Air Wing of the Future, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, are operating in the South China Sea in order to uphold the free and open use of Indo-Pacific waters in support of security and stability in the region. This marks the first time that a carrier strike group is operating in…
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Fifth and 4th generation aircraft assigned to Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (VINCSG), with embarked Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2), and U.K. Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 21 conducted joint interoperability flights in the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, Aug. 26. During the joint interoperability flights, the aircraft conducted missions to validate joint integration techniques, tactics, and procedures; including mid-air refueling. This…
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The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CVCSG), led by Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, deployed from San Diego, August 2nd, in support of global maritime security operations. CVCSG will begin their deployment by taking part in Large Scale Exercise 2021. LSE 2021 is a live, virtual, and constructive, globally-integrated exercise that spans multiple fleets, designed to refine synchronized maritime operations…
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June 23, 2021 – Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 successfully completed carrier qualifications aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), June 10, after four days of flight deck operations designed to ready the squadrons and carrier for future operations. Carrier qualifications evaluate a squadron’s proficiency and capacity to accomplish routine missions by launching, executing and recovering in a safe manner both…
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May 18, 2021 – The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability for the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) on May 4, signaling the system’s ready to provide precision approach and landing capabilities to tactical carrier aircraft at sea in support of naval aviation operations worldwide. JPALS is a global positioning system based system that integrates with shipboard air…
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December 2, 2020 – In a time characterized by rapidly evolving tactics and modernized equipment, the Marine Corps has taken the next step in maintaining air superiority as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 declares their initial operational capability (IOC) for the F-35C Lightning II. Initial operational capability declaration marks a significant accomplishment for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), enabling…
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November 3, 2020 – The Navy announced F-35C modifications to the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) yesterday, under a contract structure now in place to deliver the second Ford-class aircraft carrier, employing a single-phase acquisition strategy, versus a two-phase strategy, as originally planned. “Shifting to single phase and incorporating the F-35C modifications will enable the delivery of a…
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September 18, 2020 – USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) successfully completed several certifications, including flight deck certification (FDC) and carrier air traffic control center (CATCC) certification, Sept. 17, after nearly a week of flight deck operations designed to ready the carrier for future operations. The underway also marked the first time that Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 and Vinson, both…
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September 2, 2020 – USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) arrived at Naval Air Station North Island, Sept. 2, concluding the ship’s homeport shift from Washington to California. Vinson completed 17 months of maintenance and upgrades at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Washington, including a complete restoration and system retrofit to accommodate F-35C Lightning II Joint…
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