F-35 Unites! Two F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 "Bats" successfully landed on the Japanese Ship Izumo on October 3. U.S. Marines embarked aboard the JS Izumo and worked directly with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as part of a bilateral effort to ensure the capability test was both effective and safe. In August 2019, Japan announced it would purchase 42 F-35Bs to contribute to the shared goal of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (Read more...)