Tokyo (CNN) Japan is poised to put its first aircraft carriers to sea since World War II, refitting its Izumo-class warships to carry US-designed F-35B fighter jets, the government announced Tuesday. Photos: F-35 testing Sailors and distinguished visitors watch an F-35B Lightning II aircraft conduct vertical takeoff and landing flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp in May 2015. Hide Caption 6 of 7 Photos: F-35 testing Sailors and Marines remove a generator for the F-35B Lightning II aircraft from an MV-22 Osprey assault support aircraft aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp during operational testing in May. At the outset of World War II, Japan fielded one of the world's largest and best fleets of aircraft carriers. The US Marine Corps also operates F-35Bs off the US Navy's amphibious assault ships.

Source: CNN December 18, 2018 05:48 UTC