180904-N-AT135-0011 GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 4 2018) F-35B Lightning IIs, attached to the “Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, sit on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) while transiting the Indian Ocean with the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during a scheduled deployment of the 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 3rd Class Matthew Freeman/Released)