Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Izumo (DDH-183) steams during a ship maneuvering exercise for Malabar 2017. US Navy Photo
KUALA LUMPUR – U.S Marine F‑35Bs from Iwakuni will support the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s post refit trials of the destroyer helicopter carrier JS Izumo (DDH183) next month.
The Marine Corps aircraft will work with the JMSDF in the Pacific Ocean from Oct. 3 through Oct. 7, according to a Thursday news release from the Japan Defense Ministry. Izumo in June completed the first of a two-stage modification that will enable it to operate the F‑35, with the first stage adding heat resistant coating to the flight deck and flight line markings for F‑35 operations.
The release did not say which squadron the aircraft would …
news.usni.org/2021/09/30/u-s-marine-f-35bs-to-embark-on-japans-largest-warship-in-october