Essex 2018 Deployment [Image 1 of 7]

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

09.27.2018

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Freeman 

USS Essex (LHD 2)

180927-N-AT135-1013

U.S. 5th FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Sept. 27, 2018) – A Marine Corps pilot of the “Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), performs pre-flight checks in an F-35B Lightning II aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) in preparation for the F-35B's first combat strike, Sept. 27, 2018.. The Essex ARG and 13th MEU is the first U.S. Navy/Marine Corps team to deploy to U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations with the transformational warfighting capabilities of the F-35B Lightning II, making it a more lethal, flexible and persistent force, leading to a more stable region for our partner nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Freeman)

• Date Taken: 09.27.2018
• Date Posted: 09.27.2018 14:18
• Photo ID: 4780402
• VIRIN: 180927-N-AT135-1013
• Resolution: 3237x2158
• Size: 460.35 KB
• Location: U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY