According to a release:
Maj. Joseph T. “O.D.” Bachmann departed the runway at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth plant at 11:29 a.m. CDT and flew the aircraft to 15,000 feet, checking handling qualities and engine response before landing one hour and 15 minutes later.
“The plane performed wonderfully,” said Bachmann, a member of the F-35 Integrated Test Force and one of the team test pilots who will fly the F-35B Lightning II at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., test site, beginning this summer. “The U.S. Marine Corps will be getting an aircraft with extraordinary capabilities that is very easy to fly. Today is another step toward delivery of the first jets to Marines on the front line.”
Bachmann flew the conventional version of the JSF during the test run, and he’s the second military pilot to fly the jet after Air Force jet jock Lt. Col. James “Flipper” Kromberg flew the CTOL version in January 2008.
More on Bachmann:
During his military career, Bachmann made two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom — one from the “Harrier Carrier,” USS Bataan, and the other land-based at Al Asad, Iraq. During flight operations in Iraq, Bachmann earned four Air Medals and a Navy Commendation with a Combat V.
And I just love this line from Lockheed in their press release…
Three F-35 variants derived from a common design, developed together and using the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide will replace at least 13 types of aircraft for 11 nations initially, making the Lightning II the most cost-effective fighter program in history (emphasis added).
Despite that absurd marketing slogan, we at DT congratulate Bachmann for a safe and enjoyable flight and wish him the best during the rest of his flight test duties.
– Christian
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
I think then Major Art Tomasetti USMC has the distinction of being the first Leatherneck driver of the Lightning II, albeit the X-35, not Bachmann.
I am having difficulty in deciding whether this article was written by Lockheed, or Bachmann’s mother.
I think Christian got a cheque today…
Foreign Boy,
I don’t even know what a “cheque” is…
We here in the states call it an “check.”
“I am having difficulty in deciding whether this article was written by Lockheed, or Bachmann’s mother.”
We Marines don’t have mothers…..or fathers….only the Corps.
Semper Fi,
Dave
Both the F-22 and JSF need to be built. Its not only jobs, its the need for air-superiority and a F/A warplane with stealth capabilities needed in a first strike. Nice.
UMMM…..I’m thinking that was the mosquito of WWII, or maybe the p-39 airacobra. Possibly the P-51. Definetely not one of the current cost-overrun queens that is coming into inventory today. Great equipment yeah, but cost effective?
At least its not a hand me down from the Army. Lets hope the wingers don’t get something new that falls apart and takes money from the over all budget. I like a one seater that kills bad guys by the bunch, or gross. If it meets the needs( where have we heard that before) okay.
At least they have a pilot that seems to have some combat experience. New toys are always fun at first, lets how long the love afair lasts.
God Bless All the Fire Eaters
Semper Fi
When did “pilots” become mere “drivers”? Does this one have a steering wheel? Also, WHY are the Israeli’s expecting delivery BEFORE our own Air Force, Marines or Navy get theirs?
They called dibbs first…if we had only been faster..plus there f35s are a different version i think..less stealth..added hard points for weapons
Bachmann’s impressed. Of course, he hasn’t flown much AF equipment either (LOL). See the videos over at DEW Line: http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/03/video-usmc-pilot-likes-his-bad.html
RE: Marines and fathers.
A a member of an outfit even more elite than the USMC, the AFOUSM aka “Acknowledged Fathers of US Marines”, I take exception to the earlier comment. ;-)
I suppose we can’t complain about early deliery of the JSF; we are getting F-22 before they get JSF.
I mean, Israel’s our friend, but enough to get an F-22? Nah.
Gotta give other nations a bone if they can’t have the F-22.
Better leave it to the Marines.
With Visions of Pappy Boyington and the Blacksheep dancing in their heads.
From what I’ve read It’s slower and less manuverable than anything else up there.
Better leave it to the Marines.
With Visions of Pappy Boyington and the Blacksheep dancing in their heads.
From what I’ve read It’s slower and less manuverable than anything else up there.
__________________________________________
I agree. Let’s leave the Air Force to its dreams of F-22′s, white scrarfs, and Eddie Rickenbacker.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/washington/22military.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1
“Army and Marine Corps officers in Afghanistan have complained that Air Force pilots flying attack missions in support of ground operations do not come in as low as their Navy and Marine counterparts.”
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101975087
“For the first time in its history, Red Flag has added an extra week of training to focus on helping ground troops. Pilots practice striking suspected roadside bomb emplacements or enemy vehicles.”
I would have preferred getting A-10s. As a former F/A-18D FAC(A) in OIF, I must say that the A-10 is the best CAS asset on the planet. When will they learn that less than 2 hours on station is extremely operationally limited.
Having a 30mm cannon that can eat tanks isn’t too bad either. Leave the air to air for the air force and give the Marines an air to ground monster.
Ahh, what do I know.
Semper Fi,
Marines have always had to wait for the restof the services to rec’d their equipment then pick up the scraps ..
being that the AF seems to fly high except the “A-10 fly boys” lets not forget!
I have no problem with Israel receiving the Jet before the US does who is on the Front lines? Israel
never says hey what about us!
Semper Fi, Espirit de Corps, Camaraderie!
GIVE HELL!!!
I WOULD GET THE BIG ONE IF I WERE IN CHARGE!
“KILL ALL AND LET GOD SORT OUT”
SMILE GOD IS WATCHING!!!
If the Corps can get the JSF into the mix in A-stan, great. Lets see wat it can do.
I have to agree with Chewie, I do not think that the Marine Corp needs a jet on its front lines that the Air Force could not provide for them. In any case the F-35 is still far from its production phase therefore its availability to aid in the near future is not a good expectation. And I also agree with Rhyno327 when he says that both aircrafts need to be made, simply for the ability to ensure air superiority.
LTC Kromberg was a Marine first. Once a Marine, always a Marine. So technically, Bachmann and Tomasetti are both behind Kromberg. Congrats Flipper! We are all proud of you!
Bulldogs of VMA-223
A Marine Harrier pilot by the way.