PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Rein.), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), takes off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Aug. 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are underway conducting routine operations as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seth Rosenberg) Stock Photo

RM2GJRGEB–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Rein.), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), takes off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Aug. 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are underway conducting routine operations as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seth Rosenberg)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Sailor with Assault Craft Unit 5, guides a light armored vehicle aboard amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), Aug. 21. Portland, part of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Stock Photo

RM2GK755A–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Sailor with Assault Craft Unit 5, guides a light armored vehicle aboard amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), Aug. 21. Portland, part of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Sailor assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), directs a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), before takeoff from Essex, Aug. 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are underway conducting routine operations as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (MEU) in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seth Rosenberg) Stock Photo

RM2GJRGE1–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Sailor assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), directs a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), before takeoff from Essex, Aug. 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are underway conducting routine operations as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (MEU) in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seth Rosenberg)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 33, assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, stages in the well deck of amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), Aug. 21. Portland, part of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Stock Photo

RM2GK755D–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 33, assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, stages in the well deck of amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), Aug. 21. Portland, part of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

RM2GJRGEH–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Rein.), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), takes off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Aug. 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are underway conducting routine operations as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seth Rosenberg)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 33, assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, prepares to depart the well deck of amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), Aug. 21. Portland, part of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Stock Photo

RM2GK7553–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 33, assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, prepares to depart the well deck of amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), Aug. 21. Portland, part of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepares for takeoff from amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Aug. 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are underway conducting routine operations as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seth Rosenberg) Stock Photo

RM2GJRGDW–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepares for takeoff from amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Aug. 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are underway conducting routine operations as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seth Rosenberg)

RM2HGJJ44–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Sailor with Assault Craft Unit 5, guides a light armored vehicle aboard amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), Aug. 21. Portland, part of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

RM2GJRGET–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Sailor assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), directs a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), before takeoff from Essex, Aug. 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are underway conducting routine operations as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (MEU) in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seth Rosenberg)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Rein.), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), prepare an AH-1Z Viper for takeoff from Essex, Aug. 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are underway conducting routine operations as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seth Rosenberg) Stock Photo

RM2GJRGF0–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Rein.), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), prepare an AH-1Z Viper for takeoff from Essex, Aug. 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are underway conducting routine operations as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seth Rosenberg)

RM2GK755N–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) A U.S. Sailor with Assault Craft Unit 5, guides a light armored vehicle aboard amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), Aug. 21. Portland, part of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

RM2GJRGE4–PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 21, 2021) U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Rein.), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) for takeoff in a UH-1Y Venom from Essex, Aug. 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are underway conducting routine operations as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in U.S 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seth Rosenberg)