A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter lands on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America during flight operations, April 18. - A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter lands on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America during flight operations, April 18.

A Marine fires an M240B medium machine gun during a full mission profile defense of the amphibious task force exercise aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). - A Marine fires an M240B medium machine gun during a full mission profile defense of the amphibious task force exercise aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6).

Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Liz Thompson receives an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin. - Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Liz Thompson receives an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin.

A U.S. Marine stands following his baptism during an Easter service aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), April 12. - A U.S. Marine stands following his baptism during an Easter service aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), April 12.

U.S. Marines embarked with the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines embarked with the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the Indo-Pacific region.

Marines salute during a relief and appointment ceremony aboard amphibious assault ship USS America, March 11. - Marines salute during a relief and appointment ceremony aboard amphibious assault ship USS America, March 11.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Service Members disembark from an MV-22B Osprey with U.S. Marines while conducting Vertical Assault training during exercise Forest Light Western Army at Camp Takayubaru, Kumamoto, Japan, Jan. 28. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Service Members disembark from an MV-22B Osprey with U.S. Marines while conducting Vertical Assault training during exercise Forest Light Western Army at Camp Takayubaru, Kumamoto, Japan, Jan. 28.

Marines close with an enemy machine gun position during a simulated raid at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, on Dec. 11. - Marines close with an enemy machine gun position during a simulated raid at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, on Dec. 11.

Retired Sgt. Maj. John Canley, Medal of Honor Recipient, speaks to Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 11. - Retired Sgt. Maj. John Canley, Medal of Honor Recipient, speaks to Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 11.

Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during a long-range raid in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 14, 2019. The 31st MEU and Amphibious Squadron 11, aboard Wasp Amphibious Ready Group ships, conducted a series of sequential operations which simulated naval expeditionary combined-arms maneuver from amphibious assets to shore, utilizing Marine Air-Ground Task Force capabilities integrated across all warfighting domains. - Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during a long-range raid in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 14, 2019. The 31st MEU and Amphibious Squadron 11, aboard Wasp Amphibious Ready Group ships, conducted a series of sequential operations which simulated naval expeditionary combined-arms maneuver from amphibious assets to shore, utilizing Marine Air-Ground Task Force capabilities integrated across all warfighting domains.

Ordnance Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load an AIM- 9X Sidewinder missile onto an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft prior to a defensive combat air patrol rehearsal aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, Pacific Ocean, August 7, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. - Ordnance Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load an AIM- 9X Sidewinder missile onto an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft prior to a defensive combat air patrol rehearsal aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, Pacific Ocean, August 7, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations.

A pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, waits to take off during an aerial gunnery and ordnance hot-reload exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, Solomon Sea, August 4, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. - A pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, waits to take off during an aerial gunnery and ordnance hot-reload exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, Solomon Sea, August 4, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, ride ashore in a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft during a boat raid exercise in the Coral Sea, July 3, 2019. The Marines launched from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland, part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, while operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. - Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, ride ashore in a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft during a boat raid exercise in the Coral Sea, July 3, 2019. The Marines launched from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland, part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, while operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations.