210306-N-GW654-1698

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 6, 2021) A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter from the “Wolfpack” of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 466 transports a mock F135 engine power module from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) during a vertical replenishment-at-sea (VERTREP). This exercise was the first aircraft carrier VERTREP of a mock F135 engine power module, which serves as the basis for the single engine of the F-35C Lightning II, the only single-engine fixed-wing jet onboard Vinson and the latest in the Joint Strike Fighter series. Carl Vinson is currently underway conducting routine maritime operations (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Olympia O. McCoy)