180922-N-RP442-1072 GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 22, 2018) An F-35B Lightning II, attached to the “Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, launches from the flight deck of 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 is the first U.S. Navy/Marine Corps team to deploy to U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations with the F-35B Lightning II. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jenna Dobson/Released)