STERN APPROACH U.S. Marines in combat rubber reconnaissance craft approach the stern gate of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 19, 2010. The Marines are assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Harpers Ferry is on patrol in the western Pacific Ocean and is part of the permanently forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group participating in Valiant Shield 2010. SHARE IMAGE: Download Image: Full Size (0.06 MB) Photo By: VIRIN: 518378-L-OHU95-119.jpg Photo Gallery