Witnessing History -- F-35C on the USS Nimitz

Ready to embark on the USS Nimitz at San Diego Naval Base. It is hard to believe the nuclear-powered supercarrier, towering high over the dockside, was launched as far back as 1972 and is the oldest in active service. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

This is the spot on the deck for which the F-35C pilots will be aiming between the second and third wires. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

Heading out toward the open sea, we pass the USS Ronald Reagan, another Nimitz-class nuclear carrier that is receiving a series of systems upgrades. The work is expected to be complete in April 2015. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

Flanked by an F/A-18F acting as chase, the F-35C (CF-03) from Navy Air Test and Evaluation Sqdn. VX-23, is seen seconds before hitting the deck for the first time during a preliminary touch-and-go. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

Smoke from the tires indicates the touchdown spot was on target between the second and third arrestor wires. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

Navy test pilot Cmdr. Tony "Brick" Wilson pushes open the throttle of the Pratt & Whitney F135 and roars off the deck. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

Now the real thing. Following a rock-solid approach, Wilson touches down with tail hook extended. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

CF-03 strains against the third wire as the F135 goes to full thrust. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

Parked by the island, the F-35C is the center of attention. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

Here comes the F/A-18F chase. It will be launched again in a few minutes to act as wingman for the second F-35C, CF-05. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

Less than 1 hr. after CF-03’s arrival, the second F-35C conducts a low pass over the deck. Note the nose high attitude. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

CF-05, flown by Lt. Cmdr. Ted "Dutch" Dyckman, passes close to our vantage point on "Vulture’s Row". Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

. . . and here comes CF-05 for a full-stop landing. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

. . . and now there are two F-35Cs on a carrier deck for the first time. Note Wilson viewing Dyckman’s landing roll out. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

The F-35C pair look at home parked close to the island. A planned catapult launch later that afternoon was scrubbed due to initial data-transfer connection issues between the aircraft and ship. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

A close-up of the open bay containing the modified tail hook. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

Although the F-35C shares the same 51.5-ft. length as the F-35A and F-35B, the wingspan is 7 ft. wider and, at 43 ft., overall increases wing area to 668 sq. ft.—208 sq. ft. more than its siblings. This helps provide capacity for greater than 1,000 lb. more fuel than the Air Force or Marine versions. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

The heavy-duty, two-wheel nose gear of CF-03 is tied down to the deck. Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST

Obligatory selfie before heading back to shore on the C-2 Greyhound. Job done! Credit: Guy Norris/AW&ST