USS America conducts flight operations in Philippine Sea

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off during flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), in the Philippine Sea, June 2, 2025. Marine F-35Bs bring a 5th generation multi-discipline strike capability to support combined-joint all domain operations in key maritime terrain. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrola)