070323-N-6710M-004 SEA OF JAPAN (March 23, 2007) – A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) prepares to enter the well deck of dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) while passing by amphibious transport dock USS Juneau (LPD 10). Essex Expeditionary Strike Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting exercises with Republic of Korea armed forces as part of Reception Staging Onward-Movement and Integration and Foal Eagle 2007 (RSOI/FE 07). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brandon Myrick (RELEASED)
070322-N-4124C-062 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 22, 2007) - An AV-8B Harrier II assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214 prepares to land on the flight deck of USS Essex (LHD 2). The Marine pilots of VMA-214 conducted carrier-landing qualifications aboard Essex in preparation of upcoming operations as part of Reception, Staging, Onward movement and Integration (RSOI) and Foal Eagle 07. The two annual, concurrent exercises will bring together Republic of Korea and United States forces to increase interoperability and joint combat readiness. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam R. Cole (RELEASED)
070322-N-4124C-029 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 22, 2007) - Landing Craft Utility 1627 of Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1 readies itself to pull into the well deck of USS Essex (LHD 2) flagship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESXARG). Essex will be participating in Reception, Staging, Onward movement and Integration (RSOI) and Foal Eagle 07. The two annual, concurrent exercises will bring together Republic of Korea and United States forces to increase interoperability and joint combat readiness. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam R. Cole (RELEASED)
070321-N-5345W-076 ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 21, 2007) – Lt. Kristin Thompson, a Naval Aviator assigned to the "Raging Bulls" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37 receives a brief passdown from a squadron quality assurance (QA) checker prior to climbing into the cockpit of her F/A-18C Hornet during flight operations on board the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman is underway conducting Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristopher Wilson (RELEASED)
More than 200 sailors on board the USS Taylor, including embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 44, return to their homeport of Naval Station Mayport after a successful deployment, Mar. 9, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell
U.S. Navy Seaman Brandon King Sr. embraces his five-month old son for the first time at the homecoming ceremony for guided missile frigate USS Taylor, Mar. 9, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell
U.S. Navy Cryptologic Petty Officer 2nd Class Travis Baggerly embraces his son at the homecoming ceremony for guided missile frigate USS Taylor, Mar. 9, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell
U.S. Navy Seaman John Neal embraces his son for the first time at the homecoming ceremony for guided missile frigate USS Taylor. Mar. 9, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell
Family members celebrate the arrival of the USS Taylor, after a successful deployment, Mar. 9, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Cornell