A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier aircraft belonging

A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier aircraft belonging to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 prepares to land aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, June 9, 2017. The Harrier’s pilot fired the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a laser-guided rocket, for the first time in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. VMA-311 is the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s fixed-wing attack asset and is currently attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (HML) 265 (Reinforced), the 31st MEU’s Aviation Combat Element. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 combine to provide a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stormy Mendez)