 An F-35B Lightning II refueled at Red Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton while supporting Exercise Steel Knight 16 by utilizing its vertical landing and short takeoff capabilities December 10th. This reaffirmed the F-35's ability to conduct operations from expeditionary landing fields, short runways, or improvised landing sites. During Steel Knight 16, the F-35 conducted a close air support and supported the Marine Airground Task Force, resulting in the first ever expeditionary test of this aircraft. Reporting for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I'm Sergeant Michael Thorne.