171021-M-RX597-0004 PACIFIC OCEAN ( Oct. 21, 2017) U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines assist F-35B Lightning II pilots assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, with carrier qualifications aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) during Exercise Dawn Blitz, Oct. 21, 2017. Dawn Blitz is a scenario-driven amphibious exercise conducted between Expeditionary Strike Group 3 and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade, testing their ability to conduct amphibious operations in response to global crises and to project power ashore as part of a Navy-Marine Corps team. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roderick Jacquote/Released)