 Welcome to the Corps Report, I'm Corporal Remington Hall. And I'm Corporal Lena Wakayama. Four Marines were killed during a shooting at the Combined Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, July 16th. The Marines lost our Gunnery Sergeant Thomas J. Sullivan, Staff Sergeant David A. Wyatt, Sergeant Carson A. Holmquist, and Lance Corporal Squire K. Wells. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith died two days later of injuries sustained during the shooting. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter says, my thoughts and prayers along with those of the men and women of the Department of Defense are with the families of those killed in the senseless act of violence and with all those touched by this tragedy, including our Navy and Marine Corps family. The F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is declared initial operation capable by the commandant of the Marine Corps. Like, what does that even mean? It means the F-35B is ready to fight alongside other aircraft. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, the Green Knights out of Yuma, Arizona, will be the first operational squadron for the F-35. Lieutenant General John Davis, the Deputy Commandant for Aviation, had this to say about the F-35 and IOC. We're the nation's force of readiness, the first to fight. And this is a fifth generation capability, which means there's no place in the world we can't go. There's no foe we can't go against. There's no weather we can't go through in order to get an F-35 to support our Marines at the point of the spirit. For more information about the F-35, click the link in the video description. Most of us have heard the saying, never leave a Marine behind, and last week Marines with 3rd Marine Division were able to keep that promise to 36 Marines who fought and died during the Battle of Tarawa. The Battle of Tarawa took place from November 20th to the 23rd 1943, and of the more than 18,000 Marines involved in the fighting, more than 1,000 paid the ultimate price. The remains of the 36 Marines were honored in a repatriation ceremony in Tarawa before being transported back to the U.S. Commanding General of 3rd Marine Division Major General Richard P. Simcock said, for us it's always about accountability and bringing our Marines home after the fight is over. For more information on the ceremony, click the link in the video description. Last week Lieutenant General Robert Kneller testified before the Synod Armed Services Committee to become our next commandant of the Marine Corps. In his testimony, Lieutenant General Kneller said, if confirmed, readiness will remain a top priority. I will ensure that the American people have a Marine Corps that's ready to respond when the nation is least ready. On top of that, our current commandant, General Joseph Dunford, was confirmed as the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Fun fact, only one other Marine has ever served in that position. Make sure to check back here for all the latest news on our next CMC. Remember, you can catch everything else going around the Corps by logging on to our official social media sites. Thanks for watching everyone, we'll see you next payday, right here on the Corps Report.