“U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft will conduct take-off and landing drills on Japan’s largest warship JS Kaga (DDH-184) in June as the warship prepares to load equipment at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, according to the government officials.”
“Helicopter carrier Kaga will make a port call from June 1-4 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to load equipment for the Marine Corps’ F-35B fighters in advance of the joint U.S.-Japan exercise scheduled next month, reads a notice from Japan’s Ministry of Defense.”
“It is unclear whether the joint U.S.-Japan training involving the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B and Kaga is part of a larger exercise or a specific event to prepare the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to operate F-35Bs from the JMSDF’s two Izumo-class destroyer carriers. Although the JMSDF Fleet Air Wing operates both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, Japan placed F-35Bs under its Air Force.”
“The JASDF is in the initial stages of its F-35B training under U.S. Marine Corps pilots at JASDF Nyutabaru Air Base. The first three aircraft were delivered last year and another three were delivered this year. Japan plans to have a fleet of 42 F-35Bs.”
“Izumo is currently in Yokohama undergoing its second and final stage of conversion and modifications to operate F-35Bs, which is expected to be completed in March 2028.”