Twenty-four-hour news stations showed the gathering of carrier battle groups, special forces, aviation fuel.
The plane, known as the F-35, is touted for its ability to operate with naval vessels, ground forces, aviation units and space-based communications systems.
A cloud of dense ash from the volcano in Iceland resumed its havoc-making disruptions of European air travel early Monday, forcing aviation authorities to temporarily close important airports in the Netherlands and British Isles, including London Heathrow, Europe's busiest.
That eruption late Wednesday created a plume of ash that spread out across northern Europe at high altitudes, forcing aviation authorities to ground flights and close airports because of the risk of damage to aircraft, particularly the engines, from abrasive silicate particles.
Strong winds blew the ash over the country's most populous city, Guayaquil, and forced aviation officials to close the country's main airport.
The increasing incidence of terrorism in the Philippines for example forced aviation officials to restrict airport access only to passengers, the sealing of doors and windows at airport terminals being an essential component thereof.
China forbids any flights, manned or unmanned, without prior approval from the air force, civil aviation authorities and the local air traffic control bureau.
"It will be the first time a People's Liberation Army exercise has focused on combat forces including digitalized units, special operations forces, army aviation and electronic counter forces," the brief English-language report added.
Turning drinks from a cost into a source of revenue helped budget airlines to become a disruptive force in aviation and left incumbents struggling to compete on price without undermining service.
Mr. Mason at the Civil Aviation Authority said it was "almost impossible" to say how long the suspension would remain in force, but aviation industry experts said that, whatever the outcome, the combination of last month's accident and the recommended withdrawal of flying certification could dent confidence in the Concorde beyond repair.
