What you are witnessing here are some of the very first launches and recoveries of F-35C Lightning IIs from the “Grim Reapers” Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA 101) aboard the flight deck of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

The Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln became one of the few ships in the fleet to lunch and recover the F-35C Lightning II, Sept. 3.

The launching and recovering of the F-35Cs presented an opportunity for the crew of Abraham Lincoln to work with a new aircraft and play a role in the development of this new fighter jet. Abraham Lincoln is currently underway conducting training following successful completion of carrier incremental availability.