210820-N-IO312-1108

PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 20, 2021) Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) prepare to load inert ordnance into F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, embarked on the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), during flight operations between the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) and the Royal Navy. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the 31st MEU, 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.