Navy Achieves New F-35 Fighter Jet Milestone on USS Carl Vinson

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter completed a critical milestone aboard the USS Carl Vinson Wednesday as the Navy works to reach initial operating capability (IOC) next year for the stealth jet.

The Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 “Argonauts” completed carrier qualifications Wednesday, a final requirement for the commander of Joint Strike Fighter Wing (CJSFW) to endorse that the squadron has met its safe-for-flight operations certification, the Navy said in a release.

“The safe-for-flight operations certification (SFFOC) is the final step for VFA-147’s transition from the F/A-18E Super Hornet to the F-35C Lightning II,” the release said.