180312-N-RI884-0026 EAST CHINA SEA (March 12, 2018) Sideboys aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) prepare to greet Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) and staff during a tour of the ship in the Indo-Pacific region. The visitors observed flight operations by F-35B pilots with the "Green Knights" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), assigned under the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is conducting a regional patrol designed to strengthen regional alliances, provide rapid-response capability and advance the up-gunned ESG concept. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Barker/Released)