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U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations with F-35Cs and Block III F/A-18 Super Hornets aboard. These aircraft bring a new set of collective, complementary capabilities to the evolving carrier air wing of the future. 

Part of that mix are F-35Cs from Strike Fighter Squadron 97, which recently embarked on to prepare for deployment as the Navy’s second F-35C unit.

A "Very Capable Combination"

, commander of Carrier Strike Group One, operating the latest 5th and 4th Generation fighters together offers a “very capable combination.”

“Having both fifth-generation F-35s and Block III Super Hornets is a great additive capability to our air wing,” said Carl Vinson commanding officer Captain Matthew Thomas. “They bring a lot of avionics capabilities that make us more capable and lethal.”

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is also carrying:

• Two squadrons of Block II Super Hornets
• EA-18G Growler electronic warfare squadron
• E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft
• MH-60R/S helicopters

The F-35 directly supports the U.S. military's integrated approach to regional defense and is integral to the Navy countering emerging threats around the globe.