180817-M-PJ332-835 OKINAWA (Aug. 17, 2018) An F-35B Lightning II jet assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 taxis the flight line at Kadena Air Base in 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)