200129-M-LD713-158 EAST CHINA SEA (Jan. 29, 2020) Maj. Casey Jenkins, left, an F-35B Lightning II naval aviator with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced) talks about the F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft’s aerial laser-guided bomb capabilities with Vice Adm. William R. Merz, right, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, during a tour of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Jan. 29, 2020. Merz is touring the ship to familiarize himself with the America platform and its capabilities. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kevan Dunlop/Released)