Arabian Gulf (Mar. 13, 2003) -- Aviation Ordnancemen assigned to G-1 Division inspect Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) before transferring them to waiting aircraft. Lincoln and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are conducting combat operations in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Michael S. Kelly.
Pacific Ocean (Mar. 13, 2003) -- A Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) assigned to Assault Craft Unit Five (ACU-5) enters the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) as it transfers supplies, equipment, and Marines from Essex to another ship in the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). Marines and Sailors of the Essex ARG and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) are providing support in the 58th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima. The Essex ARG is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, as a part of the Navy’s permanently Forward Deployed Amphibious Force. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Stephanie M. Bergman.