180531-N-RP442-349 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 31, 2018) An F-35B Lightning II attached to the “Avengers�? of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 takes off from the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX is the final pre-deployment exercise that certifies the combined Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (MEU) abilities to conduct military operations at sea and project power ashore during their upcoming deployment in summer of 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jenna Dobson/Released)