USS New Orleans, 31st MEU conduct flight ops in U.S. 7th Fleet

U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Feb. 9, 2026) U.S. Marines, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct flight operations with an AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, also from VMM 265 (Rein.), 31st MEU, equipped with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, on the flight deck of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, USS New Orleans (LPD 18), while underway, Feb. 9. Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), composed of America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and USS San Diego (LPD 22), along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), are underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sade’ Anita Wallace)