Spain May Turn to Ex-USMC Harriers to Sustain Naval Air Power Beyond 2030

Spain’s naval aviation capability is approaching a critical transition phase, as the EAV-8B+ Harrier II Plus fleet of the Armada Española moves closer to the limits of its economical and technical service life. With no confirmed replacement programme in place and the F-35B procurement decision effectively frozen, attention is increasingly turning toward fleet sustainment strategies based on spare-parts acquisition and life extension.

According to well-connected Spanish naval aviation observers and specialist defence community reporting, Spain may seek to acquire a number of retired AV-8B+ aircraft from the United States Marine Corps, primarily as sources of spare parts, in order to extend the operational viability of its existing fleet into the early-to-mid 2030s.

One such report, shared by respected Spanish defence observer @mistercromer, suggests that up to 13 ex-USMC Harrier II Plus airframes, along with a substantial reserve of spare parts, could be made available to Spain. The same reporting indicates that an Italian option was explored but ultimately deemed unviable, though no official explanation has been provided.

While no formal confirmation exists, the scenario is widely considered operationally logical within naval aviation and defence logistics circles.

A Fleet Without a Clear Successor

The Armada Española currently operates around 11 EAV-8B+ Harrier II Plus aircraft, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship Juan Carlos I, which functions as Spain’s sole fixed-wing carrier aviation platform.

However, the absence of a confirmed replacement — particularly the political decision to postpone or suspend procurement of the F-35B — has left Spanish naval planners with no viable near-term alternative.

With no European STOVL combat aircraft under development, Spain now faces a looming capability gap, in which Harrier retirement would result in the complete loss of fixed-wing embarked aviation.

Why Spare-Part Harvesting Makes Strategic Sense

Both the United States Marine Corps and the Italian Navy are in the process of retiring their Harrier fleets as they transition to the F-35B. Once this transition is complete, Spain would become the sole remaining frontline Harrier operator worldwide.

From a logistics standpoint, this presents severe challenges:

• Collapse of the global Harrier spare parts ecosystem
• Reduced access to overhaul facilities
• Rising maintenance and sustainment costs
• Increased fleet grounding risk

In this context, acquiring entire retired airframes as donor aircraft becomes the most efficient method of sustaining fleet operations. Cannibalisation of surplus jets allows operators to maintain availability when original manufacturing and supplier networks are no longer economically viable.

Defence analysts consistently note that ultra-small fast-jet fleets require disproportionate logistical investment, making stockpiling of critical components essential for survival beyond 2030.

Signals from the Specialist Community

Discussion within specialist military aviation forums and defence journalism circles has increasingly highlighted:

Quiet coordination between US and European naval aviation planners

Internal studies assessing Harrier sustainment pathways beyond 2030

The logistical fragility of single-operator combat aircraft fleets

These conversations, while informal, consistently point toward spare-parts harvesting as the only realistic bridge strategy available to Spain until a political decision on future naval aviation is reached.

Operational Reality: A Matter of Physics, Not Policy

From an operational perspective, Spain’s strategic dilemma is governed by physical constraints, not political preferences.

Without STOVL aircraft, Juan Carlos I cannot operate fixed-wing jets, reducing the vessel to a helicopter-only platform and sharply limiting strrike reach, deterrence value, coalition interoperability and power projection

As a result, extending Harrier operations becomes a strategic necessity, not simply a budgetary decision.

Spain’s apparent pursuit of retired USMC Harriers as spare-parts donors reflects a pragmatic response to strategic uncertainty. While not a substitute for a long-term fleet replacement plan, it offers a temporary stabilisation mechanism, preventing the abrupt collapse of naval air power.

It buys time, but it is not a solution, delays — but does not solve — the carrier aviation dilemma

Risks locking Spain into progressively diminishing operational relevance

Unless Madrid commits either to F-35B acquisition or to a fundamentally new carrier aviation architecture, Spain’s fixed-wing naval air capability will likely remain in strategic limbo throughout the next decade.

In that sense, Harrier life extension is best understood as a defensive strategic bridge — not a destination.

Biden Flies in New Marine One as U.S. Completes VH-92A Fleet

The U.S. Marine Corps has officially received the final batch of 23 new VH-92A Patriot helicopters, marking a significant update to the presidential transport fleet. These helicopters are most commonly known as Marine One when carrying the U.S. president. The last VH-92A was delivered during a ceremony held at Sikorsky's Owego, New York facility on August 14, 2024. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, has been working on these airframes as part of a long-term effort to replace the aging VH-3D Sea Kings and VH-60N White Hawks.

This milestone represents a culmination of efforts that began with the Obama administration and stretched through the Trump administration, following a series of delays related to communications systems and issues with the helicopter’s exhaust, which had previously scorched the White House South Lawn. Despite these challenges, the VH-92A has now been deemed operationally capable, marking the end of the long replacement process for the Vietnam-era helicopters.

The new VH-92A helicopters, based on the Sikorsky S-92 platform, are larger and more advanced than their predecessors, offering better performance, increased range, and enhanced communication systems. Two of the 23 helicopters will be designated for testing, while the remaining 21 will join the operational fleet. The VH-92A retains the iconic dark green and white livery of Marine One, continuing a tradition that has been in place for decades.

President Joe Biden took his inaugural flight aboard one of these new helicopters in August 2024, after arriving in Chicago on Air Force One for an event at the Democratic National Convention. This flight marked a crucial transition in the use of the VH-92A for presidential transport, as the aircraft has undergone extensive testing to ensure reliability and safety.

The VH-92A project faced delays due to technical challenges, including secure communications systems necessary for the president to conduct classified discussions and manage military operations during flights. Additionally, modifications were needed to prevent the helicopters from causing damage to grass landing zones. Nonetheless, these issues have reportedly been resolved, and the VH-92A is now ready to fully assume the role of transporting the president and other high-ranking officials. 

As these helicopters settle into service, the older VH-3D and VH-60N airframes will likely continue to operate in a limited capacity while the transition is finalized. The VH-92A marks the next chapter in Marine Helicopter Squadron One's mission, ensuring that the president can travel securely and efficiently for years to come.

US Military Grounds Entire V-22 Osprey Fleet After Fatal Crash in Japan

The recent crash of a U.S. Air Force CV-22 off the coast of Yakushima Island in Japan, resulting in the loss of all eight crew members on board, has prompted a drastic action: the suspension of all flights of the V-22 Osprey fleet.The recent crash of a U.S. Air Force CV-22 off the coast of Yakushima Island in Japan, resulting in the loss of all eight crew members on board, has prompted a drastic action: the suspension of all flights of the V-22 Osprey fleet. Both the Air Force Special Operations Command and the Naval Air Systems Command have made this decision to mitigate risk while investigating the crash.

Initial inquiries suggest a potential material failure as the cause of the accident, yet the underlying cause of this failure remains undetermined. This uncertainty has led to the temporary halt of Osprey flights in an effort to ensure the safety of future operations.

The V-22 Osprey has had a history marked by operational and mechanical issues, having been involved in several fatal incidents over the past 30 years. This Japan crash adds to a string of unfortunate events, including the deaths of three U.S. Marines in an MV-22 during a military exercise in Australia, along with other fatal incidents in previous years.

Different versions of the V-22 Osprey are employed across various branches – the Marines operate the MV-22, the Air Force utilizes the CV-22, and the Navy operates the CMV-22. Additionally, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force employs its own variant, the Japan MV-22.

Following personnel recovery operations, the Air Force Special Operations Command mentioned on Wednesday that their focus would shift toward salvaging the remaining aircraft debris. Six of the eight airmen onboard have been recovered from last week’s crash, with three of them identified. 

The tragic incident has led to an operational standdown of the entire V-22 Osprey fleet by both the Air Force and Naval commands, reflecting the severity of the crash and the need to ascertain the cause before resuming operations. The Osprey, utilized by various military branches and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, has faced a history of mechanical challenges and has been involved in several fatal incidents over the years.

The current priority remains the recovery efforts for both the aircraft wreckage and the crew members affected by the crash. The suspension of Osprey flights continues as investigators work to determine the root cause of the mishap.

US Marines Eyes Ocean Glider for Quick Resupply Amid Rising Tensions with China

The Marine Corps, facing logistical hurdles in austere areas like the Indo-Pacific, is investing in groundbreaking seaglider technology. Allocating nearly $5 million, the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab partners with Regent, a Rhode Island-based company pioneering hydrofoiling seagliders.

These seagliders, a unique boat-aircraft hybrid, hover just above water using hydrofoils while in motion. Regent's 12-passenger Viceroy model, with a 180-mile range and potential to reach 500 miles by the decade's end, has caught the Corps' attention.

With a 15,000-pound weight, 3,500-pound payload capacity, and a 65-foot wingspan, this seaglider fills a logistical gap in high-speed Pacific operations. The innovation aims to free up helicopters and longer-range assets for diverse tasks.

The Marine Corps' pursuit of light, cost-effective platforms underscores the challenge in bridging coastal distances swiftly. Former Commandant Gen. David Berger has highlighted logistics as the Corps' primary contemporary challenge.

Amidst the Marine Corps' pursuit of innovative logistical solutions, the signing of a glider development contract coincides with Marine Corps Capt. Trevor Shimulunas' proposal for unmanned aerial gliders in small unit logistics, reducing enemy detection risks and enhancing stealth.

Shimulunas emphasizes the advantages of unmanned gliders, which, unlike Regent's larger model, are smaller, cargo-exclusive, and cost-effective, mitigating detection risks by enemy forces.

The Warfighting Lab, in collaboration with Regent, plans three separate demonstrations: float, hydrofoil, and flight, assessing the glider's operational capabilities across diverse environments.

While the Marine Corps isn't purchasing these seagliders, the investment aims to mature the technology and validate its efficacy. Regent, eyeing potential Coast Guard applications for maritime patrol, is pursuing discussions beyond the Marine Corps.

Although Marine Corps officials haven't commented on Regent's plans, Thalheimer envisions the Viceroy glider as a versatile asset for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and makeshift communication networks, highlighting its adaptability for littoral environments.

General Robert Neller acknowledges the potential of REGENT seagliders, emphasizing their capability to bolster logistics, command, control, and ISR in littoral regions.

Addressing concerns about manned gliders operating in contested littorals, Regent aims to develop an unmanned, autonomous version, leveraging the glider's simplicity and automated control system, ensuring adaptability and ease of testing.

Thalheimer underscores the manned glider's advantages, emphasizing reduced pilot training complexity compared to conventional aircraft, potentially streamlining requirements and training durations.

2.000 U.S. Troops on Standby as Israel-Hamas Conflict Escalates

In a bold move by the Pentagon, approximately 2,000 American troops have been placed on high alert, poised to deploy in response to the rapidly intensifying conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant organization, Hamas. This significant development comes as U.S. officials, speaking to the Wall Street Journal, confirm the growing urgency of the situation.

This proactive stance underscores the United States' commitment to stabilizing the volatile region, with a US Marine rapid response force making its way towards the waters adjacent to Israel. The Pentagon's reinforcement of its military presence in the area highlights the nation's determination to prevent any further expansion of the hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

The heightened military posture is indicative of the U.S. government's dedication to maintaining regional stability. The move to deploy troops reflects their readiness to intervene and de-escalate the ongoing conflict. Tensions continue to mount, and the international community watches closely as the United States takes proactive measures to help quell this potentially explosive situation.

 

USAF US NAVY US MARINES F-35's will have to live with limits on supersonic flights

An issue that risks damage to the F-35’s tail section if the aircraft needs to maintain supersonic speeds is not worth fixing and will instead be addressed by changing the operating parameters, the F-35 Joint Program Office told Defense News in a statement Friday.
The deficiency, first reported by Defense News in 2019, means that at extremely high altitudes, the U.S. Navy’s and Marine Corps’ versions of the F-35 jet can only fly at supersonic speeds for short bursts of time before there is a risk of structural damage and loss of stealth capability.
The problem may make it impossible for the Navy’s F-35C to conduct supersonic intercepts.
defensenews

US MARINES PATCH HMM-466 CH-53E SUPER STALLION MCAS MIRAMAR ''WOLFPACK''

Watch

Sikorsky wins contract to build six more VH-92A ‘Marine One’ helicopters

Sikorsky has won a $471 million contract from the US Navy (USN) to build six production VH-92A presidential helicopters.
The helicopters are to be operated by the US Marine Corps (USMC) and are to replace the Sikorsky VH-3D, popularly known by its call sign of “Marine One” when the US president flies aboard.
The USN plans to buy 23 examples of the VH-92A as part of its programme of record.
Sikorsky will deliver the six VH-92A helicopters in 2022 and 2023.
flightglobal

U.S. Military, And Operators Worlwide Ground Their F-35s To Look For Faulty Fuel Tubes

The U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy have all stopped flying their F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, as have international operators, in order to inspect and potentially replace faulty fuel tubes common to all three variants of the aircraft, a process that should thankfully only last one or two days. Investigators looking into the cause or causes of a Marine F-35B crash in September 2018 uncovered the issue, which comes amid a Pentagon-mandated effort to boost the Joint Strike Fighter's availability rates and raises serious questions about increased reliance on a single family of combat jets.
The Pentagon's central F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) announced the grounding on Oct. 11, 2018. The inciting incident occurred on Sept. 28, 2018, when an F-35B from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron Five Zero One (VMFAT-501) crashed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina. The pilot of that aircraft was able to safely eject, but the stealth fighter was a total loss.
thedrive

Australia grounds Joint Strike Fighter fleet after US Marine Corps F-35 in catastrophic engine failure and crash

The crash and destruction of one of America's most sophisticated and expensive combat warplanes — an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter — has led to the immediate grounding of Australia's entire fleet of the aircraft.
The Royal Australian Airforce has taken delivery of nine F-35s from US manufacturer Lockheed Martin, and all are now sitting idle at their American training base in Arizona.
Australia is the latest among global partners in the Joint Strike Fighter program to order groundings of their planes as a precaution.
n a statement, the Australian Defence Force confirmed that "the F-35 fleet has been instructed to conduct safety inspections across all delivered engines".
abc.net

USMC F-35B conducts first combat strike in Afghanistan

The Marine Corps F-35B, Lightning II, conducted its first combat strike in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan, Sept. 27.
During this mission, the F-35B conducted an air strike in support of ground clearance operations, and the strike was deemed successful by the ground force commander.
The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is the first combat-deployed MEU to replace the AV-8B Harrier with the F-35B Lightning II. The F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 are currently embarked on the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) as part of Essex Amphibious Ready Group
cusnc.navy

US Marines F-35 jet crashes in South Carolina; incident comes same week plane flew first combat mission

An F-35B fighter jet crashed near Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina late Friday morning, military officials said, just days after the cutting-edge aircraft flew its first combat mission in Afghanistan.
“At approximately 11:45, a 2D Marine Aircraft Wing F-35B impacted near the Broad River in Beaufort County. The pilot safely ejected and is being examined by medical personnel,” Marine Corps officials said in a statement.
The incident, which is under investigation, comes during the same week the aircraft was first used in a combat zone.
F-35B fighters with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 flew their first combat missions in Afghanistan this week, military officials said Thursday, launching air strikes in support of “ground clearance operations.”
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/sep/28/f-35-jet-crashes-south-carolina/

3-D printer keeps F-35B flying during USS Wasp deployment

State-of-the-art parts fabrication is keeping America’s most advanced stealth fighter in the air during its first deployment aboard the USS Wasp.
When a plastic bumper for a landing-gear door wore out this month on an F-35B Lightning II embarked on the amphibious assault ship, a 3-D printer was used to whip up a new one.
The Iwakuni-based jet from Fighter Attack Squadron 121 later flew successfully with the new part, a Marine statement said.
Called “additive manufacturing,” the process from Naval Air Systems Command allowed the Marines of Combat Logistics Battalion 31 to create the new bumper and get it approved for use within days, the statement said. Otherwise, they would have had to replace the entire door assembly, which is expensive and time consuming.
stripes

More than half of all US Marines aircraft unflyable in December

More than half of all Marine Corps fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft were unable to fly at the end of 2016, officials said on Wednesday.
The Marines are struggling to keep aging aircraft flying amid budget cuts, delayed spending bills and more than 15 years of wartime wear-and-tear.
Out of 1,065 Marine Corps aircraft, 439 were flyable as of Dec. 31, said Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, deputy commandant for aviation. That represents roughly 41 percent of the service’s fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.
“My target should be 589 [flyable aircraft]; so I am 150 airplanes shy of what I need to make my flight-hour goal,” Davis told reporters on Wednesday. “In order to meet my operational commitments, I need a little bit more than that.”
Since taking the job in June 2014, Davis has been working furiously to get enough Marine Corps planes and helicopters flyable until the service can receive new aircraft, such as the F-35.
While the number of aircraft ready to fly on any given day fluctuates, overall the number of flyable aircraft has been improving, Davis said.
But only 72 of the Marine Corps’ 280 F/A-18 Hornets were flyable as of Dec. 31, officials said. This is just a quarter of the Corps' Hornets, and down from September, when 90 Hornets could fly.
Davis explained that readiness declined at the end of 2016 due to holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
“November and December every year are low productivity months,” said Davis, who noted that 473 Marine aircraft were flyable at the beginning of October.
Of the Marine Corps’ 280 F/A-18 Hornets, 109 were either at or headed to depot in December, Marine Corps spokeswoman Capt. Sarah Burns explained. Because the Navy runs the depots, those aircraft do not fall under the Marine Corps, she said. The service tracks the 171 Hornets that are under its direct control, of which about 42 percent are flyable.
It should be noted that depot-level maintenance is deliberately planned and scheduled with few exceptions,” Burns said in an email. “We expect and plan for a certain percentage of our aircraft to be in the depot at any given time. It is through depot-level maintenance that we ensure the Marine Corps maintains a ready and balanced fleet while we transition F-35.”
In addition to the 72 Hornets that were flyable in December, another 26 needed repairs that were expected to be completed in less than 120 days, Burns said.
The Marine Corps can only repair so many aircraft at any given time, Davis said.
“I can’t collapse that gap any faster than I am right now with the funding restrictions we’ve been under in the past,” he said. “We are funded to the max. I can only reset a CH-53E so fast. I’ve got seven on the East Coast; eight on the West Coast and one in Hawaii — 16 airplanes in reset right now. I can only get so many of those into reset at any given time.”
marinecorpstimes

First US Marines F-35B Squadron Moves to Japan

A Marine Corps F-35B squadron has transferred from the United States to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, marking the first permanent international deployment of the joint strike fighter, the service announced Tuesday.
Marine Corps spokesman Capt Kurt Stahl told Defense News that 10 F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) departed Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona on Monday, with the first jets slated to arrive in Japan on Wednesday. All 10 F-35s will arrive at Iwakuni by Thursday. Eventually, an additional six jets will be relocated from Yuma to Iwakuni, bringing the squadron up to a full 16 aircraft.
VMFA-121 is a part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
“The transition of VMFA-121 from MCAS Yuma to MCAS Iwakuni marks a significant milestone in the F-35B program as the Marine Corps continues to lead the way in the advancement of stealth fighter attack aircraft,” the service said in a statement.
defensenews

The Marines Corps' CH-53E Super Stallion Fleet Is In Inexcusably Horrible Disrepair

The Marine Corps faces serious challenges with its aging CH-53E Super Stallion fleet. The huge and complex aircraft are decades old and tired from 15 years of war. A replacement is on the way, the CH-53K King Stallion, although it is behind schedule and still years away from becoming operational.
foxtrotalpha

US Air Force Cuts Five F-35 Fighter Jets From Budget Request

The Air Force reduced the F-35A buy in FY-17 from a planned 48 aircraft to just 43, while fully funding the Long Range Strike-Bomber and KC-46 tanker. It is not clear if the Air Force will reduce the overall planned buy of 1,763 aircraft. These figures do not take into account the total F-35 buy across the US armed services or purchases by international partners.
The cut was purely budget driven, the source said, as the F-35 joint strike fighter program has made strides in recent years. The Marine Corps declared initial operational capability on time last summer with its F-35Bs, and the Air Force is on track to do the same with its conventional takeoff and landing F-35A this summer.
The F-35A cut is not a surprise. Analysts and top government officials have hinted for months that changes could be ahead for the JSF as part of the Pentagon’s effort to balance its books.
Cutting F-35As in FY17 will likely yield millions in savings over the next several years. The Air Force planned to buy 44 F-35As in FY16 and 48 in FY17, before ramping up to 60 a year starting in FY18. But reducing that to 48 a year would free up approximately $1 billion per year for other priorities.
defensenews

Despite Pressures From China, Taiwan Might Procure Harriers

Taiwan will have the opportunity to procure refurbished AV-8 Harrier Jump Jets as the US Marine Corps (USMC) begins replacing the aircraft with F-35B stealth fighters, said US government sources.
The Harriers will be offered to Taiwan through the Pentagon’s Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program under the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
The AV-8 would fulfill Taiwan’s much-needed vertical and/or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) requirement. China is expected to destroy Taiwan’s air bases within the first few hours of a war with its estimated 1,400 short-range ballistic missile arsenal and the Harrier’s V/STOL capability will allow the Taiwan air force to maintain air operations by hiding the aircraft in the mountainous interior.
A US defense industry analyst working in Taiwan said that it was a “great idea,” but the USMC’s AV-8s are “too worn to be of much sustainable service value, at least not without some, probably very costly, structural rehabilitation and avionics upgrade.”
The Taiwan Air Force is not crazy about the AV-8 and there is tremendous pressure to continue efforts to secure procurement of the F-35B short take-off and vertical landing aircraft (STOVL) aircraft.
defensenews

Germany to choose between Chinook and CH-53K for heavy-lift successor

Germany is moving ahead with an acquisition programme to replace its air force's Sikorsky CH-53 heavy-lift helicopters, with the choice narrowed to two types.
One key driver for Berlin's effort under the fledgling heavy transport helicopter project is the need to purchase a rotorcraft already in production, rather than launching a clean-sheet development programme.
Luftwaffe capability manager in charge of the programme, says only two heavy-lift helicopters effectively meet that requirement: the Boeing CH-47F Chinook and Sikorsky's CH-53K King Stallion – being developed for the US Marine Corps.
As the helicopter will be used to support special forces operations and combat search and rescue tasks, an aerial refuelling capability is required, he says. However, Germany presently has no tankers suitable for the role. Although it is a customer of the Airbus Defence & Space A400M, the tactical airlifter is unable to perform in-flight refuelling of rotorcraft.
flightglobal

Spanish ship 'Juan Carlos I' embarks MV-22 Osprey squadron

Spanish Navy LHD 'Juan Carlos I', ship has embarked a USMC MV-22 Osprey squadron for the first time and is demonstrating a great level of interoperability between the two services
The Spanish Navy (Armada Española) has claimed to be the first non-US naval service to embark a squadron of the US Marine Corps' (USMC's) Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft on board one of its ships. The embarkation took place during Exercise 'Trident Juncture 2015'.
The four Osprey transports, are stationed at the Morón de la Frontera Air Base in southern Spain.
For 'Trident Juncture 2015' the aircraft were embarked with six of the Armada's AV-8B Harrier and an AB-212 helicopter from the 27,000-tonne landing helicopter dock (LHD) Juan Carlos I .
The role of the Ospreys during the exercise was to ferry mixed companies of US Marines and their Portuguese and Spanish counterparts, the Fuzileiros and Infantería de Marina respectively.
The Ospreys were escorted during the insertion and extraction of the troops by the Spanish Navy's Harriers. In all 100 US Marines were embarked on the LHD, including support personnel, over a period of three days.
Apart from the tactical missions, some of the US pilots had the opportunity to complete their deck landing qualifications, performing landings and take-off from different spots of the flight deck.
janes

Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion Heavy-Lift Helicopter Finishes First Flight

The CH-53K King Stallion, the Marine Corps' next-generation heavy-lift helicopter, took its first flight Tuesday at Sikorsky's test facility.
The entire flight test lasted about 55 minutes including taxiing on the runway, but the helicopter was in the air for about 30 minutes.
defensenews