180817-M-PJ332-125 OKINAWA (Aug. 17, 2018) A Marine naval aviator assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, inside the cockpit of an F-35B Lightning II jet, signals the ground crew during pre-flight checks at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 17, 2018. Marine aviators and aircrews with VMFA-121 completed pre-flight planning, inspections and coordination at Kadena before taking off for a routine flight in the skies above Okinawa. VMFA-121, on its second operational deployment as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is the fixed-wing attack element attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced). The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)