The Lockheed F-35 is an advanced stealth fifth generation fighter combining speed and superb
agility. There are three variants; F-35A, B and C. The F-35A CTOL (Conventional Take Off and
Landing) and has four internal weapons stations in two weapons bays plus three optional
external weapons stations. The F-35B STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) variant while the
F-35C is a CV (Carrier Variant). The F-35 will replace the USAF A-10 and F-16, the F/A-18 for the
USN and the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the USMC.
VMF-121 (Marine Fighting Squadron) was established in June 1941 and over time were
re-designated VMA-121, VMA(AW)-121, VMFA(AW)-121 equipped with the F/A-18D Hornet. On
November 20, 2012 the squadron officially became VMFA-121 and received their first three
F-35Bs. In early 2017 VMFA-121 (Green Knights) transferred from MCAS Yuma, Arizona to
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan becoming the first forward deployed permanent F-35B squadron. Since
September 2015 F-35B 169164 has worn VM-20 at VMFAT-501, VK-00 with VMFA-121 and later
VK-01 with the same squadron.