Cherry Point depot gets F-35B

CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- The first F-35B is now at Cherry Point Fleet Readiness Center East to undergo modifications. The FRC East is the first Naval Aviation Depot to do the first modifications on the F-35. FRC workers will reinforce hinges on doors that allow the F-35B to take off and land vertically as part of the first modification to the jets. Such modifications are common once an aircraft joins the fleet. Lt. Col. Steve C. Gillette, of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, flew the F-35 unescorted from Elgin Air Force Base, Fla., to Cherry Point on July 9. Eglin is home of the Integrated Training Center for the F-35. (Source: Havelock News, 07/15/13)