GSN Aug/Sept Digital Edition

complex weapon system in an operationalenvironment. This achievementis a testament to the efforts ofthe F-35 Joint Program Office andIndustry team, as well as the hardwork and support from the MarineCorps. This accomplishment is anaffirmation that the F-35 program ison track to deliver essential 5th generationwarfighting capabilities toour U.S. services and internationalpartners. It is also a reminder thatwe still have work ahead to deliverthe full warfighting capability requiredby all three services and ourpartners while we continue our successfulefforts to drive cost outof the program.DON statement -- Attributableto Sean Stackley, ASN (RD&A):“Today’s declaration of initialoperating capability for the F-35B is an important milestonefor the United States MarineCorps and the entire F-35 JointStrike Fighter program. The advancedwarfighting capabilities ofthis aircraft make it a key componentof our Navy and Marine Corpsaviation strategy and the Nation’ssecurity. As the Department of theNavy and the F-35 Joint ProgramOffice continue the rigorous processof validating and delivering thisfifth generation strike fighter to thefleet, we must and will maintain ourpriority on performance and affordability.”LM Statement on USMC F-35BIOC Announcement“Congratulations to the U.S. MarineCorps on achieving Initial Operatingcapability (IOC) with the F-35BLightning II, a milestone achievedthrough dedication and perseverance– touchstones of the MarineCorps. The multi-service F-35Lightning II represents a quantumleap in air dominance capability.With the F-35B, the Marine Corpshas a fighter that combines nextgenerationradar-evading stealth,supersonic speed, fighter agility andadvanced logistical support with themost powerful and comprehensiveintegrated sensor package of anyfighter aircraft in history to provideunprecedented lethality and survivability.A capability we know theywill use to defend America and ourallies for decades to come.Fifty years from now, historianswill look back on the success of theF-35 Program and point to Marine13Corps IOC as the milestone thatushered in a new era in military aviation.Lockheed Martin, along withits industry partners, and togetherwith the F-35 Joint Program Office,is proud to have played a supportiverole for the Marine Corps achievingIOC. Whether supporting ship deployments,ALIS installation, or aircraftproduction and modifications,our team is proud to partner withthe Marine Corps as we continue toprovide the F-35 Joint Strike Fighterand its 5th Generation capabilitiesto the warfighter.Again, to every Marine in theCorps, congratulations on thissignificant achievement and welook forward to supporting theMarine Air Ground Task Forceas you execute your vital mission!Pratt & Whitney/Rolls-RoyceStatement on IOC:Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce congratulate the U.S. MarineCorps on achieving initial operationalcapability (IOC) for the F-35B Lightning II. Two years ago,the Corps set an ambitious objectiveto achieve IOC in July of 2015. Thatgoal became a rallying point for thepropulsion team and the entire F-35enterprise. And now, thanks to theunyielding commitment and leadershipof the Marines, that objectiveMore on page 46