U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack
Squadron 121 Load Ordnance on a F-35B Lightning II
U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack
Squadron 121 load ordnance on a F-35B Lightning II while conducting a hotload
during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 1-18 in Yuma, AZ, on Sept.
21, 2017. WTI is a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons
and Tactics Squadron (MAWTS-1) cadre which emphasizes operational integration
of the six functions of Marine Corps Aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground
Task Force. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and
certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation
Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons
and tactics.
By Pfc. Ethan Pumphret, Marine Corps Air
Station Yuma
25 Sep 2017
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- MARINE CORPS AIR
STATION YUMA, Ariz. – Hot-loading is when an aircraft lands and has ordnance
loaded while the engine is still running. Marines from Marine Fighter Attack
Squadron 121 conducted a hot-load in F-35B Lightning II’s at Marine Corps Air
Station Yuma, Ariz. on Sept. 21, 2017. This hot-load was conducted using AMRAMM
AIM-120 missiles. VMFA-121 is a part of Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine
Aircraft Wing.
The exercise was a validation/verification conducted
during Weapons and Tactics Instructors course 1-18. WTI is an exercise that
takes service members from all over the world in a joint training exercise for
mission readiness. WTI is hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron
one.
“They will now have a publication to use,” said Cpl.
Matthew Donovan an aviation ordnance technician with VMFA-121. “We took it out
there and we validated it. We know it works so now in the future they will have
it in writing.”
The hot-load exercise was conducted to ensure both pilots
and ground crew have a real example of operations should those units deploy.
The F-35B’s were loaded with the AIM-120 missile and took off horizontally
immediately after.
The AMRAMM AIM-120 is an air-to-air missile that will be
used in conjunction with a Tactical Air Launch Decoy. The TALD was loaded onto
an AV-8B Harrier II to be launched and used as a target for the AIM-120. The
TALD is an expendable glide vehicle that can mimic the heat and radar signatures
of a full-sized aircraft.
“You can't shoot an air-to-air missile unless you have
something to shoot at,” said Donovan.
“The TALD is just a glider that comes off of the Harrier and then it glides straight and the Harrier moves out of the way.”
“The TALD is just a glider that comes off of the Harrier and then it glides straight and the Harrier moves out of the way.”
Donovan said the AIM-120 is the only missile currently in
the F-35’s arsenal for the Marine Corps.
This hot-load exercise is to verify theory and validate
publication and give the Marines involved a chance to load live ordnance while
the aircraft is still hot. While the F-35B has been loaded hot before, this is
the first time it has been conducted with these air-to-air missiles.
“Decreasing aircraft turnaround time and increasing
sortie generation due to the aircraft not having to power down, receive maintenance
and start up again,” said Staff Sgt. Kevin Knight an Aviation Ordnance
Technician with VMFA-121. “It’s critical in developing our expeditionary
capabilities.”
During WTI, VMFA-121 will also use GBU-12 and GBU-32,
laser and GPS guided 500 lbs bombs in their F-35B’s. This combat
themed-training will provide the training and practical application to project
Marine Corps air power on the battlefield.
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