180902-N-NB142-0338 INDIAN OCEAN (Sept. 2 2018) An F-35B Lightning II attached to the Avengers of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during a scheduled deployment of Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The Essex ARG and 13th MEU is the first U.S. Navy/Marine Corps team to deploy to U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations with the transformational warfighting capabilities of the F-35B Lightning II, making it a more lethal, flexible and persistent force, leading to a more stable region for our partner nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chandler Harrell/Released)