USS Essex (LHD 2)

101207-N-9950J-328 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 7, 2010) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Skye Kelley, left, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Apprentice Larz Rasmussen prepare to tie down a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force SH-60K Sea Hawk helicopter while conducting deck landing qualifications aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is participating in exercise Keen Sword, a joint bilateral exercise designed to strengthen Japan-U.S. military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

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101207-N-9950J-143 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 7, 2010) A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force SH-60K Sea Hawk helicopter lands aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is participating in exercise Keen Sword, a joint bilateral exercise designed to strengthen Japan and U.S. military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

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101207-N-9950J-107 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 7, 2010) Aviation boatswain's mates direct the landing of a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force SH-60K Sea Hawk helicopter during deck landing qualifications aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is participating in exercise Keen Sword, a joint bilateral exercise designed to strengthen Japan and U.S. military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

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101207-N-9950J-080 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 7, 2010) Aviation boatswain's mates run from a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force SH-60K Sea Hawk helicopter after chaining it to the flight deck aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is participating in exercise Keen Sword, a joint bilateral exercise designed to strengthen Japan and U.S. military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

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101207-N-4743B-146 EAST CHINA SEA (Dec. 7, 2010) A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force SH-60K Sea Hawk helicopter lands aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) as part exercise Keen Sword. The joint bilateral exercise is designed to strengthen Japan and U.S. military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam M. Bennett/Released)

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101207-N-4743B-002 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 7, 2010) Lt. Cmdr. Kenji Sakaguchi, right, from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Lt. Michael Gerhart watch as a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force SH-60K Sea Hawk helicopter lands aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during exercise Keen Sword. The joint bilateral exercise is designed to strengthen Japan and U.S. military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam M. Bennett/Released)

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101206-N-2218S-028 EAST CHINA SEA (Dec. 6, 2010) A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force enters the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is participating in exercise Keen Sword 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Ryan Smith/Released)

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101204-N-4894D-636 OKINAWA, Japan (Dec. 4, 2010) The amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force prepare for exercise Keen Sword 11 at White Beach Naval Installation. Keen Sword is a bilateral exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Colby Drake/Released)

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101201-N-4743B-076 SEA OF JAPAN (Dec. 1, 2010) A landing craft air cushion approaches the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam M. Bennett/Released)

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101201-N-4743B-086 SEA OF JAPAN (Dec. 1, 2010) A landing craft air cushion approaches the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam M. Bennett/Released)

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101201-N-4743B-025 SEA OF JAPAN (Dec. 1, 2010) A landing craft air cushion approaches the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam M. Bennett/Released)

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101122-N-5538K-091 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 22, 2010) A CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262 takes off from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)

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101122-N-2218S-003 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 22, 2010) Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Scottie Ford photographs a contact off the starboard side of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Ryan Smith/Released)

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101120-N-5538K-153 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 20, 2010) Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Darrio L. Davis watches an AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 land aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway in the Western Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)

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101120-N-5538K-019 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 20, 2010) An AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 takes off from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)

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101120-N-5538K-011 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 20, 2010) Sailors prepare an AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 for take-off from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)

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