Compass Points - The Fighting F-35C
Advanced fighter used in combat
Compass Points - The Fighting F-35C
Advanced fighter used in combat
November 21, 2024
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It was a billion-dollar airstrike. Many news outlets are reporting that a Marine F-35C fighter from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, VMFA-314, struck targets in Yemen as part of its first ever combat mission.
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The Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II aircraft debuted its combat airstrike capabilities for the first time earlier this month when it targeted weapon storage facilities in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, the Navy confirmed in a press release on Wednesday.
The Pentagon previously said that the F-35C launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility over a week ago. CENTCOM also posted a video of the fifth-generation aircraft taking off from the aircraft carrier.
Now, the military has confirmed that between Nov. 9 and 10, the Marine Corps variant of the jet conducted the airstrikes for the first time in its operational history. Specifically, the press release said that it conducted multiple strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis . . . .
-- Military.com
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The Marine F-35C is not only the most advanced fighter jet in the Marine Corps, it is the most advanced fighter in the world -- and the most expensive. The ability of the fighter to successfully complete a mission against the Houthis in Yemen should come as no surprise. The bigger question is how would the F-35 perform against China? By some estimates China has more than 2,000 operational fighters. Admiral Paparo recently discussed the scope of the threat from China
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Admiral Samuel Paparo, the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said on Tuesday at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., that he saw "the most rehearsal and the most joint exercises" from China over the summer that "I'd seen over an entire career of being an observer." "This included on one particular day 152 vessels at sea," Paparo added. China's navy is the largest in the world with over 370 ships and submarines, while the U.S. Navy has a battle force of 295 vessels, including the world's largest aircraft-carrier fleet, with 11 in service. Newsweek has contacted China's defense and foreign ministries for comment via email.
. . . The Chinese military held two large drills around Taiwan, a self-ruled island that Beijing views as its own, in May and October, testing its ability to seize power; perform blockades on key ports and areas; occupy and control key areas; as well as make assaults on sea and land targets.
-- Newsweek
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To be successful against China, the US would have to start by getting nearly every F-35 in the air. Nothing close to that looks possible now. A recent GAO report warns of low readiness rates for the F-35.
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The F-35 Lightning II, a cornerstone of U.S. military air superiority, faces significant readiness challenges. Despite the U.S. military operating 630 of the aircraft, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report reveals that all three branches flying the F-35 have failed to meet mission-capable (MC) rate targets for six consecutive years.
-For example, the Air Force's F-35A MC rate was just 52% in 2023, far below its 75–80% goal.
-These issues persist despite $12 billion spent on sustainment. While readiness challenges are widespread across U.S. aircraft, the F-35's modernity underscores the urgency of resolving maintenance and spare parts shortfalls to counter threats like China and Russia.
-- The National Interest
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The F-35 is an incredibly advanced piece of flying technology. It is estimated the total cost of the F-35 program will exceed two trillion dollars. The F-35 has been used sparingly in combat so far. That makes the Marine combat strike on the Houthis a billion-dollar mission. How committed is the Marine Corps to the F-35C? It is hard to say. Under its controversial Force Design plan, the Marine Corps is getting rid of 18 new F-35 aircraft (10% of the active inventory).
It also plans to reduce the number of F-35B aircraft in each of the 2 squadrons stationed in Japan from 16 aircraft to 12 -- for a total loss of 8 aircraft. There has been some discussion inside the Marine Corps about reducing all 9 F-35 squadrons (B and C) from 16 aircraft to 10 aircraft, for a total loss of 54 aircraft. In addition, the Marine Corps has divested 3 Marine Wing Support Groups placing some elements throughout the aircraft wing and eliminating others. With F-35 readiness rates stuck around 50%, more support and maintenance might be a better idea.
How do these cuts make the Marine Corps stronger? They do not make the Marine Corps stronger.
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The loss of new attack helicopters and fifth-generation F-35B fighter aircraft is a devastating blow to Marine infantry — and other elements of the force — which has already been robbed of all tank and 67% of cannon artillery support. The synergistic effect of these losses on combined arms operations is incalculable.
-- Defense News – “Unwise divestments are crippling US Marine Corps aviation” By Gen. James Amos (ret.), Gen. Terrence Dake (ret.) and Lt. Gen. Barry Knutson (ret.)
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Compass Points salutes VMFA-314 for their successful strike against the Houthis. The Houthis are a challenge for the US, but they are a relatively small challenge. To deter and fight against larger adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea, the US will need more combat ready combined arms infantry, more combat ready ground weapons and equipment, and much more combat ready ships and aircraft. As part of the broader US effort, the Marine Corps must improve both the numbers and the readiness rate of all Marine forces including worldwide, combined arms, crisis response MAGTFs. The Marine Corps' responsibility is to be most ready when the Nation is least ready. In too many ways, the Nation is least ready today. The Marine Corps needs to get more ready now.
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Military.com - 11/20/2024
Marine Corps F-35C Was Used in Combat for First Time to Strike Houthis, Military Confirms
By Drew F. Lawrence
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Newsweek - 11/20/2024
U.S. Pacific Commander Recalls China's Largest Invasion 'Rehearsal' In Career
By Ryan Chan
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The National Interest - 11/15/2024
F-35 Fighter Has Failed to Meet 'Annual Mission-Capable Goal' 6 Years Straight
By Stavros Atlamazoglou
The original Force Design documents mandated a divestment of 200 aircraft and associated force structure in the active force or about 30% of the inventory. Fifty-four of these aircraft were the F-35B. In the past year, the Marines have added back a HMH squadron and a HMLA squadron or 43 aircraft. Additional aircraft may still be added back, including some F-35B. We will know for sure when the Marines publish their 2025 Aviation Plan next month. It's good to see aircraft being added back, but it begs the question why so many aircraft were initially divested. The answer is simple: Force Design was never properly vetted through the Combat Development Process. None of the divestments (aviation, ground or CSS) were properly considered. The divestments were one of the biggest mistakes in the history of the Marine Corps; yet, the senior leadership continues to defend them. Go figure!
Interesting post; agree with the need for more birds and support for the birds. One very interesting note up front; I did not realize the USMC had been plus'd up with F35C (carrier variant - looks cool with the big wings). I thought the USMC had only gotten the Bravo. I think having the 'C is a good thing...in terms of total numbers and Marine capability. This is a rare pearl in the pig...stuff.
Also of note: reading through the original report, it looks like 'mission capable' rates have been low for the 4th gen fighters as well (https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-25-107870.pdf). Why are we always relearning that managing maintenance is a key task? There is a reason Sammy Hagar featured Paolo the Ferrari Mechanic in the video for 'I Can't Drive 55'. Hagar didn't want a display-only model and neither should the USMC. God Bless the Marines in the Squadrons working miracles to get the birds in the air.