For the first time in South China Sea, F-35Bs from the 31st MEU conducted expeditionary strike force operations with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11.
200315-N-YQ383-1368 SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 15, 2020) Ships from the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and from the America Expeditionary Strike Group transit the South China Sea in formation during a photo exercise March 15, 2020. Operating as an Expeditionary Strike Force, the Navy-Marine Corps team integrates the combat power of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group with the flexible capability of the America Expeditionary Strike Group and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to provide the fleet commander with a capable, credible combat force that can be deployed anywhere in the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brandon Richardson)
Embarked aboard USS America, the stealth fighters carried out training such as basic flight maneuvers, air defense, surface-support mission exercises with aircraft launched and recovered aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt.
