SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 – Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort welcomed a piece of aviation history. The F-35B Lightning II, known as BF-01 is the first F-35B variant ever built, and it has made its way to the Lowcountry to serve as a permanent static display, ushering in a new era for Marine Corps Aviation.
“BF-01 was the first of its kind ever built,” explained Major Joseph Leitner, Communication Strategy and Operations Director, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, “which is significant and tells a great story about its importance to the Marine Corps and to the F-35B community”
This wasn’t just another aircraft arrival. Unlike most static displays, which are retired on base and towed into place, BF-01 was transported from NAS Patuxent River by a heavy-lift Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopter to MCAS Beaufort.
“Static displays usually are retired on the base, and then they just taxi it over to the location it’s going to be at forever.” said Lt. Col. Jarrod Allen, executive officer, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. “This is different because it’s coming from PAX River, and I have never heard of anybody moving it via helicopter.”
The operation required precise coordination between Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron, and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 from MCAS New River, alongside Marines from Marine Aircraft Group 31 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 from MCAS Beaufort. The lift provided a unique training opportunity that prepares Marines for complex missions.
“They put a lot of work into it; they have their refueling plan, their landing zone plan, and their contingencies.” explained Lt. Col Whitesel, commanding officer, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. “They’ve clearly put a lot of thought into this.”
Moving a fifth-generation fighter by air is no small feat. The wings themselves generate lift, creating unpredictable challenges for pilots under load, requiring them to be decisive and proactive.
“It’s something that could have been a simple movement.” Allen added. “But we chose to do it in a way that flexes muscles we don’t always use, such as mission planning, coordination, and risk management. It turns a simple task into an opportunity to get better as a team.”
While the aircraft will never fly again, its journey to Beaufort not only reflects the historical progress of Marine aviation but also represents the commitment to developing the Marine Corps into the world’s finest fighting force.
Our entire capability in the future of marine aviation is all going F-35B and F-35Cs and that speaks volumes,” Allen stated, “here in the next five years, we are going to be an all fifth-generation fighter force in Marine aviation.”
The arrival of the BF-01 was perfectly timed, as it reflects the major changes already happening at the Air Station. In recent years, multiple squadrons aboard MCAS Beaufort have transitioned from F/A-18 Hornets to the F-35B Lightning II, making it a vital training and operational pipeline for Marine Corps aviation.
“We’re rapidly becoming an F-35 only MAG, so it’s nice to have a public display of what we fly here,” Whitesel explained, “thankfully, all of our jets have been in service and flying, so there hasn’t been a jet that has needed to stop flying and become a statue.”
The display will serve not only as a symbol of that transition but also as a reminder to the servicemembers, civilian staff, and the Beaufort community of the Marine Corps’ commitment to staying on the cutting edge of aviation.
For the Marines of MAG-31, BF-01 will stand as a visible tribute to their work, sacrifice, and pride.
“It’s important to have something here that reflects what we fly today,” Allen explained.
In the years ahead, BF-01 will be more than just a static display; it will represent the Marine Corps past, its present readiness, and its future as an all-fifth-generation fighter force.
Story by Cpl. Isabella Renaud
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort