191204-N-SQ656-3318 OKINAWA, Japan (Dec. 4, 2019) The America-class amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) departs White Beach Naval Facility to join the forward-deployed Amphibious Force 7th Fleet based at Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan. America replaces USS Wasp (LHD 1) as the U.S. 7th Fleet's forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier and is capable of supporting the Joint Strike Fighter (F-35B) as part of an embarked U.S. Marine Corps Air Combat Element (ACE). America, part of Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11 and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kristine Volk/Released)