INDIAN OCEAN (Jan. 12, 2020) Aviation Boatswain�s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Alston Adams launches an F-35B Lightning II, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th MEU are conducting operations off the coast of Somalia under Joint Task Force � Quartz in support of Operation Octave Quartz (OOQ). The OOQ mission is to reposition U.S. Department of Defense personnel from Somalia to other locations in East Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher S. Haley)