The U.S. Marine Corps plans to deploy its version of the F-35 fighter jet in the late part of next year to the Western Pacific region, Navy Times reported Thursday.
Adm. Scott Swift, chief of Pacific Fleet, said the Navy will station the F-35B variant will be stationed onboard an amphibious ship with a support escort force, David Larter reports.
A surface action group will also act to protect the amphibious assault ship, according to the report.
F-35B achieved initial operational capability in July 2015 and is going through tests prior to the 2017 deployment, the report says.
