This post has been updated to include a statement from U.S. 3rd Fleet. Marines and sailors with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit flowed off their ships and back home on Thursday, ending an eight-month deployment that included the first-ever combat strikes by the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) and amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD-23) were spotted off Camp Pendleton, Calif., Thursday morning. The Essex ARG/13th MEU also includes dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47). The U.S. Pacific Fleet put a media embargo on any announcement or reference of the 13th … Continue reading 13th MEU, Essex ARG Return Home, Ending First F-35B Combat Deployment