USS Abraham Lincoln Deploys with First Marine Corps F-35C Squadron

An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, prepares to land on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet. *U.S. NAVY / Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Singley*

SAN DIEGO — The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) departed on a regularly scheduled deployment Jan. 3 as the centerpiece of a carrier strike group that included the Marine Corps’ first F-35C Lightning II squadron.

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is led by the command staff of CSG 3 and consists of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 21 (DESRON 21) — USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS Spruance (DDG 111).

CVW-9 includes Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314), the Corps’ first F-35C squadron. The deployment marks the second carrier deployment of the F-35C.

The Marine Corps plans to field a total of four F-35C squadrons and have committed two of them to the Tactical Air Integration program of deploying with CVWs.

The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) currently is deployed to the Indo-Pacific region with the Navy’s first fleet F-35C squadron, Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147), on board.

CVW-9 also includes VFA-14, equipped with F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighters; VFAs 14 and 151, equipped with F/A-18Es; Electronic Attack Squadron 133 (VAQ-133), with EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft; Airborne Command and Control Squadron 117 (VAW-117) with E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 14 (HSC-14) with MH-60S Seahawk helicopters; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71 (HSM-71) with MH-60R Seahawk helicopters; and a detachment of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 30 (VRM-30), equipped with the CMV-22B Osprey carrier-onboard delivery aircraft.

“The entire CSG 3 team is trained and ready to deter and, if necessary, win conflicts as called upon by our nation’s leaders,” said Rear Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, in a release from U.S. 3rd Fleet. “As we leave today on this routine, scheduled deployment, I know the Sailors and Marines of this team will continue to serve this great nation and its people. It is our honor to do so.”