Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall statement on Marine Corps F-35 IOC

The U.S. Marine Corps' declaration of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) marks a significant milestone in the continued evolution of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. The decision was made following a thorough Operational Readiness Inspection which assessed the Marine Corps' ability to employ this complex weapon system in an operational environment. This achievement is a testament to the efforts of the F-35 joint program office and industry team, as well as the hard work and support from the Marine Corps. This accomplishment is an affirmation that the F-35 program is on track to deliver essential 5th generation warfighting capabilities to our U.S. services and international partners. It is also a reminder that we still have work ahead to deliver the full warfighting capability required by all three services and our partners while we continue our successful efforts to drive cost out of the program.