F-35B Lightning II - Ready to Strike [Image 1 of 7]

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

09.27.2018

Photo by Cpl. Francisco Diaz 

13th Marine Expeditionary Unit   

U.S. 5th FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), ensure a panel is secure on an F-35B Lightning II in preparation for the F-35B's first combat strike, Sept. 27, 2018. The Essex is the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 13th MEU, is deployed to the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Francisco J. Diaz Jr./Released)

• Date Taken: 09.27.2018
• Date Posted: 09.27.2018 13:28
• Photo ID: 4778803
• VIRIN: 180927-M-PQ127-1003
• Resolution: 2944x1963
• Size: 269.25 KB
• Location: U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY