Marine Maj. Joseph Bachmann, a Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron-501 pilot, takes off in his first F-35B sortie from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 22, 2012. The goal for Marines was to start local area operations and conventional flights, beginning the process of gradually expanding the envelope to short takeoffs and vertical landings and more complex aerial training. The historic flight was airborne during the Marine Corps' 100th year of aviation, two months after 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing officially introduced the service's fifth generation fighter to the world at the 33rd Fighter Wing. (Lockheed Martin photo/David Drais)