PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 17, 2021) A VBAT Unmanned Aerial System takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27), Aug. 17, 2021. Marines and Sailors of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) are underway conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick Katz)