Marines assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) watch as a "Green Knights" F-35B Lightning II prepares to touch down on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), marking the first time the aircraft has deployed aboard a U.S. Navy ship and with a Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Indo-Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jessica Bidwell An F-35B from VMFA-121 prepares to land for the first time aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). while F-35Bs have carried out operational tests at sea, this is the type's first operational deployment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Wildes An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 touches down on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), marking the beginning of the F-35B's first operational deployment. Note the darker color of the deck where the Lightning II is touching down, reinforced and modified to take the greater heat and thrust of the F-35B's F135 engine. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Molina USS Wasp (LHD 1) was the first amphibious assault ship to deploy with the F-35B. Wasp deployed for a regional patrol meant to strengthen regional alliances, provide rapid-response capability, and advance the Up-Gunned ESG concept. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Galbreath An F-35B Lightning II performs deck landing qualifications on the USS Wasp (LHD-1), March 5, 2018. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 embarked a detachment of F-35Bs on the USS Wasp for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Spring Patrol 2018, marking the first operational deployment of the F-35B with a MEU. As the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Wildes U.S. Navy Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) John Jacob directs an F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) in the East China Sea March 5, 2018. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Molina An F-35B assigned to the "Green Knights" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) March 9, 2018, as part of a routine patrol in the Indo-Pacific region. Along with learning how to efficiently, safely, and effectively operate the F-35B while deployed at sea, VMFA-121 will be helping to explore the up-gunned Expeditionary Strike Group concept. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Levingston Lewis A VMFA-121 F-35B Lightning II prepares to land aboard the Wasp. While the view of a STOVL aircraft in the hover over an amphibious assault ship became commonplace over 40 years of Harrier operations, the F-35B performing the same type of landing is still a novel sight. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Levingston Lewis Sailors move an F-35B Lightning II into the hangar bay of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Maintenance, spotting, deck handling, arming, fueling, and every other aspect of operating the aircraft at sea will also be tested and refined during this first deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Desmond Parks An F-35B Lightning II flies past the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) as part of a routine patrol in the Indo-Pacific region, March 11, 2018. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Levingston Lewis An F-35B Lightning II performs deck landing qualifications aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp. Along with the legacy AV-8B Harrier II's STOVL capabilities, the F-35B adds stealth, far greater situational awareness, supersonic speed, and other 5th generation capabilities. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Wildes F-35Bs and personnel from the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are embarked aboard Wasp for a regional patrol meant to strengthen regional alliances, provide rapid-response capability, and advance the Up-Gunned ESG concept. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Alexandra Seeley Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Donovan Hampton launches an F-35B off the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) as part of a routine patrol in the Indo-Pacific region. Because of their internal weapons bays, F-35Bs routinely operate without stores hanging from the wings and fuselage, for now a novel sight in the fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Levingston Lewis An F-35B Lighting II assigned to the "Green Knights" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during flight operations in the Indo-Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Barker VMFA-121 F-35Bs represent the shape of things to come. U.S. Marine Corps Lightning IIs will supplant AV-8B Harrier II aircraft aboard LHDs and LHAs on the big deck amphibious assault ships in the future. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Levingston Lewis