HOVERCRAFT APPROACH A hovercraft transporting U.S. Marines approaches the USS New Orleans miles off the coast of southern California, Sept. 4, 2011. The Marines are assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's ground combat element. The MEU embarked the amphibious assault ship Makin Island and the amphibious transport dock New Orleans in San Diego Sept. 1 to begin its second seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May. SHARE: Download: Full Size (0.06 MB) Credit: VIRIN: 375500-P-WVN56-998.jpg Photo Gallery