NOLF to open to F-35Cs

WHITING FIELD, Fla. - Naval Air Station Whiting Field's Outlying Landing Field Choctaw, near Navarre, on May 9 will become the third East Coast OLF providing fleet carrier landing practices for F-35C Joint Strike Fighters. The runway has been closed nine months to enable improvements, and construction of carrier-like, arrested-landing gear for the carrier landing practices. The increased capabilities will be able to support requirements of Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA-101) based at Eglin Air Force Base, where initial F-35 Navy pilots train. VFA-101 is the Navy’s only Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for F-35Cs. The ‘Grim Reapers’ train and qualify F-35C pilots and maintenance personnel as part of at-sea Carrier Air Strike Groups. (Source: NAS Whiting Field, 05/06/16)