The USA left another important milestone behind the F-35C Lightning II aircraft. Five years after the delivery of first F-35C Lightning II (serial number 114), the first US Marine Corps operational unit received the F-35C Lightning II.

The platform, which will be used for pilot training missions first, was assigned to VMFA 314 “Black Nights” (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron). The unit, which stopped flights with F/A-18 Hornet aircraft in June of last year, entered the transition process for the F-35C and started training activities at the Lemoore Naval Air Station in California.

The US Marine Corps, which is currently planning to acquire 67 F-35C Lightning II, will replace F/A-18 Hornets, which are deployed the US Navy aircraft carriers.