What sucks is the Navy didn't design the
America class to operate the F-35B from the get go, even though they knew the ships would deploy it.
This means
USS America (forward deployed to Japan) and
USS Tripoli (about to enter service) require the same upgrades as the
Wasp class.
USS Bougainville, which won't enter the fleet until 2024, will be able to operate the F-35 right away.
I wonder if the Navy is looking into bringing
USS Peleliu back into service. She's the youngest of the
Tarawa class and has been kept in reserve along with
USS Nassau. Obviously couldn't operate the F-35B, but would provide the fleet with an additional amphibious assault ship.
"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without blood shed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves." - Sir Winston Churchill