The United States Air Force will soon hold a competition to see if the F-35 is a viable option to replace the aging A-10 Warthog.
Now the Navy's version of the F-35 is showing its versatility, making an historic landing at sea.
In a release, the Navy said a detachment of F-35B Lightning II's landed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp March 5.
That marks the first time the aircraft has deployed aboard a U.S. Navy ship and with a Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Indo-Pacific.
The Navy said the F-35B will aid the Expeditionary Strike Group in a routine patrol to strengthen regional alliances and provide rapid-response capabilities.
Congress is resisting Air Force efforts to retire the A-10 to make room in the budget for more F-35s.
