SAN DIEGO (April 7, 2022) The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) loads supplies while moored pier-side at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI). Tripoli pulled into NASNI with 20 F-35B Lightning II aircraft attached to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13 and 3 MH-60S Seahawk helicopters attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 aboard. Tripoli and MAG 13 recently participated in the U.S. Marine Corps' Lightning carrier concept demonstration. The Lightning carrier concept demonstration shows Tripoli and other amphibious assault ships are capable of operating as dedicated fixed-wing carrier platforms, capable of bringing fifth generation Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing aircraft wherever they are required. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Burghart)