Marine test pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk begins his last scheduled F-35 test flight June 26 in BF-4 at Patuxent River, Md. Schenk concluded his tour as government flight test director June 29 and was the first pilot to land the short takeoff and vertical landing version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter on USS Wasp (LHD 1) in October 2011. The F-35B for the U.S. Marine Corps and international partners is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings for use on amphibious ships or expeditionary airfields to provide air power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet. - Marine test pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk begins his last scheduled F-35 test flight June 26 in BF-4 at Patuxent River, Md. Schenk concluded his tour as government flight test director June 29 and was the first pilot to land the short takeoff and vertical landing version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter on USS Wasp (LHD 1) in October 2011. The F-35B for the U.S. Marine Corps and international partners is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings for use on amphibious ships or expeditionary airfields to provide air power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.