The U.S. Air Force has some pretty big planes. The aerial warfare service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and one of the seven American uniformed services, it is the most recent branch of the U.S. military to be formed by the National Security Act of 1947. It is the largest and most technologically advanced air force in the world. As anyone would imagine, it needs, and has, very big planes. Known as Strato-planes or aircraft, like the B-52H Stratofortresses and KC-135 Stratotanker in this video during exercises Global Thunder 17 and Southern Strike 17. These exercises assess and emphasize command and control functionality in all USSTRATCOM mission areas and affords component commands a venue to evaluate their joint operational readiness.
Meanwhile, the world’s first supersonic short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth aircraft, the Joint Strike Fighter F-35B, is in testing to evaluate the full spectrum measures of suitability and effectiveness in an at-sea environment. USS America (LHA-6), with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1), Marine Attack Fighter Squadron 211 (VMFA-211) and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) embarked, is underway conducting operational testing and the third phase of developmental testing for the F-35B Lightning II aircraft, respectively. The first of the America-class amphibious assault ships for the U.S. Navy, it’s fully equipped to carry part of a Marine expeditionary unit into battle and putting them ashore with helicopters and V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, while being supported by F-35B Lightning II aircraft and helicopter gunships.
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