Its why when we are talking about number of airframes, we need to talk about mission capable airframes and not just the number in the administration inventory.
Half the fleet are just not what they appear on paper.
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter News, Videos and pics Thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Half the fleet are just not what they appear on paper.
Before long they will have jets without weapons too
An F-35B Lighting II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 to take off from the flight deck of America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), during flight quarters, Mar. 14, 2026. Tripoli is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Angel Conde)
An F-35B Lighting II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 taxis to launch area on the flight deck of America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), during flight quarters, Mar. 14, 2026. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Angel Conde)
An F-35B Lighting II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 prepares to launch from the flight deck of America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), during flight quarters, Mar. 14, 2026. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Angel Conde)
PACIFIC OCEAN (March 21, 2026) Sailors assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) transport a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), across the flight deck during flight operations, March. 21, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s long-term commitment to a free open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Normand Basque)
Or maybe they have learned from Indians to obscure frame losses.
U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in deck landing qualifications aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, March 28, 2026. The 11th MEU is currently underway aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations demonstrating the United States’ long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Oliver Nisbet)
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to take off during deck landing qualifications aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, March 28, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Oliver Nisbet)
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, March 28, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Joseph Helms)
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to take off during deck landing qualifications aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, March 28, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Oliver Nisbet)
The irony is it's kinda normal situation for jets, unless you use your entire fleet as a fire team outside your borders or even bases.