180915-N-LH273-0043 GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 15 2018) Army Maj. Gen. James Craig, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, speaks with Navy Capt. Brian Mutty, commanding officer of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), in the ship’s pilot house 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 2nd Class Adam Brock/Released)