151003-N-IC565-009 ARABIAN GULF (Oct. 3, 2015) Airman Nicholas Amond fuels an AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium-left Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 (Reinforced) on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is the flagship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bradley J. Gee/Released)