181023-M-PJ332-590 EAST CHINA SEA (Oct. 23, 2018) A pair of F-35B Lightning II fly alongside a KC-130J tanker aircraft during an aerial refueling mission above the East China Sea, Oct. 23, 2018. The F-35Bs belong to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 and the KC-130J belongs to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152. VMFA-121, part of the Aviation Combat Element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is the Marine Corps’ only forward-deployed F-35B squadron – as part of the 31st MEU, the squadron provides fixed-wing attack capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region during Marine Corps and U.S. Navy amphibious operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)