190301-N-BV658-1068 SAN DIEGO (March 1, 2019) Capt.

190301-N-BV658-1068 SAN DIEGO (March 1, 2019) Capt. Brian Mutty, left, commanding officer, Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and Capt. Gerald Olin, commander, Amphibious Squadron One, speaks to the media in a post-deployment press conference at Naval Base Coronado. Essex (LHD 2), flagship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, returned to its homeport of San Diego following a successful eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of operation. The deployment marked the first combat deployment of the Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kryzentia Richards)