191204-N-SQ656-3318 OKINAWA, Japan (Dec. 4, 2019) The America-class amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) departs White Beach Naval Facility to join the forward-deployed Amphibious Force 7th Fleet based at Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan. America replaces USS Wasp (LHD 1) as the U.S. 7th Fleet's forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier and is capable of supporting the Joint Strike Fighter (F-35B) as part of an embarked U.S. Marine Corps Air Combat Element (ACE). America, part of Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11 and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kristine Volk/Released)

191203-N-LR905-4182 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 3, 2019) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Jason Querido directs a Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, assigned to the "Flying Leathernecks" with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). Makin Island is conducting routine operations in the eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob D. Bergh/Released)

191203-N-LD903-2022 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 3, 2019) A Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, assigned to the "Flying Leathernecks" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, prepares to land aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). Makin Island is conducting routine operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ethan Jaymes Morrow/Released)

191203-N-LR905-4364 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 3, 2019) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Tyler Randrup directs a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to the Flying Leathernecks with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). Makin Island is conducting routine operations in the eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob D. Bergh/Released)

191017-N-QI061-1585 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 17, 2019) A U.K. F-35B Lightning fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (RO 8) during flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean. HMS Queen Elizbeth is currently deployed in support of WESTLANT 19, which involves mission planning, arming the aircraft using the ship's Highly Automated Weapon Handling System, flying missions and debriefing on completion. The first operational deployment for HMS Queen Elizabeth 617 Squadron and a squadron of US Marine Corps Lightning jets is due to take place in 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan T. Beard/Released)

191017-N-QI061-1159 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 17, 2019) A U.K. F-35B Lightning fighter jet performs a vertical landing on the flight deck of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (RO 8) during flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean. HMS Queen Elizbeth is currently deployed in support of WESTLANT 19, which involves mission planning, arming the aircraft using the ship's Highly Automated Weapon Handling System, flying missions and debriefing on completion. The first operational deployment for HMS Queen Elizabeth 617 Squadron and a squadron of US Marine Corps Lightning jets is due to take place in 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan T. Beard/Released)

191017-N-QI061-0160 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 17, 2019) A U.K. F-35B Lightning fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (RO 8) during flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean. HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently deployed in support of WESTLANT 19, which involves mission planning, arming the aircraft using the ship's Highly Automated Weapon Handling System, flying missions and debriefing on completion. The first operational deployment for HMS Queen Elizabeth 617 Squadron and a squadron of U.S. Marine Corps Lightning jets is due to take place in 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan T. Beard/Released)

191006-M-HH765-0190 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 6, 2019) U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), prepare to land aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Oct. 6, 2019. Integrating 3rd MAW's combat power and capabilities while conducting realistic training is essential to generate readiness and lethality in our units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Charles Plouffe/Released)

191006-M-HH765-0192 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 6, 2019) Senior leadership from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the amphibious assault ship USS America brace for the blast as an F-35B Lightning II launches off of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Oct. 6, 2019. Integrating 3rd MAW's combat power and capabilities while conducting realistic training is essential to generate readiness and lethality in our units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Charles Plouffe/Released)

191006-M-ES316-1017 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 6, 2019) U.S. Marine Corps senior leadership with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), observe an F-35B Lightning II taxiing on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Oct. 6, 2019. 3rd MAW is capable of conducting missions across the range of military operations and continues to promote the defense of our nation and its interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan Anaya/Released)

191004-M-ES316-1148 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 4, 2019) A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), departs the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during routine operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Oct. 4, 2019. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps continue to combine efforts to refine and strengthen the fundamental amphibious capabilities and reinforce the Navy and Marine Corps team. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan Anaya/Released)

191004-M-ES316-1063 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 4, 2019) A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), prepares to depart the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during routine operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Oct. 4, 2019. 3rd MAW is capable of conducting missions across the range of military operations and continues to promote the defense of our nation and its interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan Anaya/Released)

191004-M-ES316-1003 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 4, 2019) U.S. Navy sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), conduct simulated hangar fire drills with an F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), during routine operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Oct. 4, 2019. Integrating 3rd MAW's combat power and capabilities while conducting realistic training is essential to generate readiness and lethality in our units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan Anaya/Released)

191008-N-ZQ712-1637 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 8, 2019) Thirteen U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), and two Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron (VMM-166) are staged aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America is at sea conducting routine operations in the eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chad Swysgood/Released)

191008-N-ZQ712-1438 PACIFIC OCEAN(Oct. 8, 2019) Thirteen U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), are staged aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America is at sea conducting routine operations in the eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chad Swysgood/Released)

191008-N-ZQ712-1276 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 8, 2019) Thirteen U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), are secured aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America is at sea conducting routine operations in the eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chad Swysgood/Released)

191002-N-NJ919-2011 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 2, 2019) Marines assigned to the "Flying Leathernecks" of Marine Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 122 perform maintenance on an F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America is underway conducting routine operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter Estrada/Released)

190929-N-ZS023-1118 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 29, 2019) An F-35B Lightning II assigned to the "Flying Leathernecks" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America is underway conducting routine operations in the eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Vance Hand/Released)

190928-N-ZQ712-1068 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 28, 2019) An F-35B Lightning II assigned to the "Flying Leathernecks" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America is underway conducting routine operations in the eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chad Swysgood/Released)

190928-M-HH765-0003 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 28, 2019) Twelve U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), conduct carrier qualification flights aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during training to enhance Navy-Marine Corps integration in the Eastern Pacific on Sept. 28, 2019. Carrier qualifications are a critical component in ensuring our squadrons are capable, deployable on short notice and lethal when called to action. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Charles Plouffe/Released)