MCAS Yuma/Yuma International Airport (YUM, KNYL, NYL)

[Jeff D. Welker]

Juma Tower, this is Caballero Blanco requesting a hover by....

Well-played, Chief!

I just used the great inspiration you gave me 

[Jeff D. Welker]

NAKED BANSHEE

Joe mentioned to me (I totally missed it) that this Prowler was sans fuel tanks and ALQ pods. Accordingly, I've re-captioned this photo to reflect the lack of its standard 'dress' 

[Ned Harris]

T-38, MCAS Yuma, 10-12-12.


_92W2377 T-38 (s/n 65-10342) by Ned Harris, on Flickr

[bilwor]

Honda Aircraft HA-420 Honda Jet N420HM

[John B.]

Awesome catch, Bill.  Even with all of the exotic miitary stuff out there that one is still pretty fun!

[bilwor]

Thanks, John


bill

[Ned Harris]

UC-12F Huron, MCAS Yuma, 10-17-12.


_92W3183 UC-12F Huron by Ned Harris, on Flickr

[cpasley]

KC-135R Stratotanker 161st ARW 64-14831 by Chris Pasley, on Flickr

[Scott Youmans]

Nose Job - Note the extended wing tips and drooped wing leading edge among other more obvious modifications.

[Scott Youmans]

F-35B delivered to VMFA-121 at MCAS Yuma - Here are some links

http://www.dvidshub.net/image/784512/yuma-receives-first-f-35b

http://www.dvidshub.net/image/784515/first-operational-f-35b-joint-strike-fighter

https://www.facebook.com/mcasyuma

[Jay Beckman]

Very nice Scott!

So, what am I missing here?  F-35 is "Operational" as it's just entering High Alpha testing at Edwards?

I know there are different designations but one would think all aerodynamic testing would be done on the base airframe before calling anything good to go...?

[Joe Copalman]

Very nice Scott!

So, what am I missing here?  F-35 is "Operational" as it's just entering High Alpha testing at Edwards?

I know there are different designations but one would think all aerodynamic testing would be done on the base airframe before calling anything good to go...?

Concurrency.  The plan all along was to have the F-35 enter service as testing was still being done, but I don't think most folks expected it to hit line squadrons this immature.  Notice it's landing conventionally in Scott's image.  I think it will be a looooooooong time before F-35s are spoken of as being operational without having to use air quotes when you say the word "operational."  

In the meantime, it's something new to point a lens at, so hooray for that.  

[Chris Kennedy]

Interesting article:

http://aviationintel.com/2012/11/19/go-ask-alis-the-f-35-is-about-to-go-fictionally-operational-woefully-unprepared/

[Scott Youmans]

Interesting article:

http://aviationintel.com/2012/11/19/go-ask-alis-the-f-35-is-about-to-go-fictionally-operational-woefully-unprepared/

For starters I won't pretend to have the level of expertise, albeit self-proclaimed (see the "about" link on his website), as the author of the article whose link can be found in Chris's post.  Some of the risks he points out are probably valid.  Having said that I don't get the sense that the Marine Corps is unaware of the developmental status of the aircraft nor is it trying to hide it. From what admittedly little I know the idea is to work out some of the usual logistics support, training, and other operationally related issues while, hopefully, the more technical aspects of the program proceed. By doing this in parallel rather than in series significant time can be saved.  Has politics played a part and is there risk involved?  Possibly, but what else is new.  Go back in time and read about the development of nearly every major weapons system and you will find controversy. The bigger the program the more controversy.  Some were very successful and some less so.  With the F-35, only time will tell.  As Joe pointed out we have something new to point our lenses at.  I'd prefer to help try and make it work rather than to stand on the sidelines bashing something based on a collection of news clips.  The only way to prove it can't be done is to try to make it happen.

By the way Chris, this not directed at you! Thanks for posting the link.

[Chris Kennedy]

Here is a somewhat less negative article from Reuters via Aviation Week. It says the Marines don't expect the aircraft to be truly operational until 2015. One of the major sticking points is the software.

The comment is kind of interesting.

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_11_21_2012_p0-519763.xml&p=2