150222-N-AC979-160 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 22, 2015) An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 prepares to take off from the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America is conducting its first Harrier operations off the coast of California. The ship is the first of its class and is optimized for Marine Corps aviation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael McNabb/Released)