181014-N-AT135-1003 DOHA, Qatar (Oct. 14, 2018) An F-35B Lightning II attached to the “Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 is chocked and chained on the flight deck as the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) arrives in Doha, Qatar. Essex is a flexible, and persistent Navy-Marine Corps team deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Freeman/Released)