USS Tripoli, 31st MEU conduct flight ops in Philippine Sea

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to take off aboard forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 12, 2026. Marines and Sailors conducted flight operations in order to expand mission capabilities in support of the 31st MEU. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kindsey Calvert)