USMC F-35Bs refine expeditionary training in Australia
Twelve F-35Bs, flown by a composite unit made up of VFMA-121 and VFMA-124, participated in Pitch Black 2022. (Photo: Roy Choo)
USMC F-35Bs from Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) conducted Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) training in Australia before participating in Exercise Pitch Black 2022 in mid-August.
Six of 12 F-35Bs deployed from MCAS Iwakuni to RAAF Base Tindal for the multinational exercise took part in the EABO training at RAAF Base Curtin in Western Australia.
The USMC’s EABO concept emphasises the employment of mobile, distributed, low-signature and easily sustained forces from austere locations to support a larger naval campaign.
The hub-and-spoke notion of EABO – which envisages rapid dispersion of aircraft from major bases to several smaller distributed bases
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
France and UK to resume and upgrade Storm Shadow/SCALP production
The new ‘Entente Industrielle’ will work on a range of other projects to boost the UK economy and defence industry, including joint development on new high-tech frequency weapons and extended range air-to-air missiles.
-
US Navy acquires additional anti-submarine warfare kits for P-8A Poseidon aircraft
The contract modification, awarded to Boeing, is worth $61.2 million and will support the US Navy’s (USN's) evolution of its P-8 Poseidon aircraft as continued upgrades are made to boost its capabilities and lethality.
-
Union slams “self-sabotage” of UK government over Typhoon production
The UK Ministry of Defence remains resolute that the Typhoon sits at the heart of the country’s air defence capabilities and is focused on the aircraft’s potential export orders, despite its continued focus on F-35 procurement.