PEARL HARBOR. Children wave goodbye as the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled deployment. The submarine is 377-feet long, displaces 7,800 tons, is equipped to carry torpedoes and tomahawk missiles, and possesses the capacity to insert special operations forces into a multitude of environments and battlefield scenarios. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Amanda R. Gray)PHILIPPINE SEA . An F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) taxis after landing aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rufus Hucks) EAST CHINA SEA. An F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) prepares to launch from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) while the ship sails alongside Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Akebono (DD 108). America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jonathan Berlier) EAST CHINA SEA. An F-35B Lighting II fighter aircraft lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) while the ship sails in formation with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Akebono (DD 108) in the East China Sea. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit team is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Vincent E. Zline)
