US amphibious assault ship marks start of F-35B operations

March 22, 2018

Tokyo- The USS Wasp amphibious assault ship has marked the start of the first full carrier-based operations of F-35B jets from the Iwakuni base in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, US sources said.

An expeditionary strike group including the Wasp, based in the Sasebo base in Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, launched warning and surveillance activities, including planned operations of the cutting-edge stealth fighter jets.

According to the Navy's 7th Fleet, the strike group, also including the USS Green Bay amphibious transport dock ship, left the White Beach Naval Facility in Uruma in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa on Monday, carrying a total of 2,300 Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The Marine Corps plan to conduct drills to seize airfields and help evacuate noncombatants.

The 7th Fleet, which covers the western Pacific, is expected to decide whether to have the Wasp join the US-South Korea joint military exercises set to begin April 1, while keeping an eye on North Korea.

F-35Bs are designed to support Marines on the front line using their advanced networking functions to share location information related to precision attacks and enemies.

Japan's Defense Ministry is expected to carry out research on F-35B operations with the Wasp, as the ministry is considering introducing the aircraft. Jiji Press