180913-N-AT135-0008 GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 13 2018) Lance Cpl. Ryan Fisher and Marine Corps Cpl. Travis Ingle perform maintenance on an F-35B Lightning II, attached to the “Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during a scheduled deployment with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The Essex ARG and 13th MEU are the first U.S. Navy/Marine Corps team to deploy to the 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)