181102-N-AT135-1096 ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 2, 2018) Sailors assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) move an F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, attached to the “Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, onto the port aircraft elevator 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 and 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 flexible and persistent force, leading to a more stable region for the U.S.'s partner nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Freeman/Released)