USS Essex (LHD 2)

101219-N-4894D-125 SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 19, 2010) Vice Adm. Koji Katoh, commander of Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) 3rd District, left, Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, commander of Amphibious Force U.S. 7th Fleet; Rear Adm. Umio Otsuka, commander of JMSDF Flotilla Group 2; Rear Adm. Hidetoshi Fuchinoue; Capt. Francis Martin, commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, and local civic leaders cut a ceremonial ribbon, officially opening Juliet Wharf at Fleet Activities Sasebo. Juliet Wharf provides upgraded facilities for the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), JMSDF Ships and other visiting ships. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Colby Drake/Released)

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101214-N-9950J-138 SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 14, 2010) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) 2nd Class Ryan Frazer mans the rails aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) as the ship returns to Sasebo after a three-month patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

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101214-N-9950J-119 SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 14, 2010) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) Airman Apprentice Carlos Quinlan, right, mans the rails aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) as the ship returns to Sasebo after a three-month patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

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101214-N-9950J-093 SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 14, 2010) Sailors man the rails aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) as the ship returns to Sasebo after a three-month patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

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101214-N-9950J-085 SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 14, 2010) Sailors man the rails aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) as the ship returns to Sasebo after a three-month patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

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101214-N-0120A-290 SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 14, 2010) Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Allgaier directs tugboats during the special sea and anchor detail aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) as the ship returns from Fall Patrol. Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex amphibious Ready Group and is on patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez/Released)

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101214-N-0120A-273 SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 14, 2010) Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Brian Varilla mans the rails aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) as the ship returns from Fall Patrol. Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex amphibious Ready Group and is on patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez/Released)

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101210-N-5538K-050 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 10, 2010) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) takes part in a photo exercise at the conclusion of exercise Keen Sword 2011. The exercise enhances the Japan-U.S. alliance which remains a key strategic relationship in the Northeast Asia Pacific region. Keen Sword caps the 50th anniversary of the Japan - U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals." (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)

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101210-N-6720T-107 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 10, 2010) USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships underway in formation for a photo exercise during the final day of Exercise Keen Sword 2011. The exercise enhances the Japan-U.S. alliance which remains a key strategic relationship in the Northeast Asia Pacific region. Keen Sword caps the 50th anniversary of the Japan - U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals." (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam K. Thomas/Released)

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101210-N-6720T-115 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 10, 2010) USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships underway in formation for a photo exercise during the final day of Exercise Keen Sword 2011. The exercise enhances the Japan-U.S. alliance which remains a key strategic relationship in the Northeast Asia Pacific region. Keen Sword caps the 50th anniversary of the Japan - U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals." (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam K. Thomas/Released)

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101209-N-9950J-049 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 9, 2010) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Eldeen Ebanks directs a Japan Maritime Self Defense Force SH-60K Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is participating in exercise Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

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101209-N-2218S-138 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 9, 2010) A Marine prepares a rocket pod aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) for a live-fire exercise during Keen Sword 2011. Essex is participating in exercise Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Ryan Smith/Released)

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101209-N-2218S-056 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 9, 2010) An AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft prepares to take off aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) to take part in a live-fire exercise during Keen Sword 2011. Essex is participating in exercise Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Ryan Smith/Released)

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101208-N-5538K-051 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 8, 2010) An AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft assigned to the Tigers Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 prepare to land aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is participating in exercise Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)

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101208-N-5538K-045 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 8, 2010) An AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft assigned to the Tigers of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 prepare to land aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is participating in exercise Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)

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101208-N-5538K-209 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 8, 2010) Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy Sailors work in the flag plot aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during Keen Sword 2011. Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)

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