An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Photos

Snapshots of what’s happening in the Defense Department.

Landing craft air cushion 21, also known as an LCAC, from Detachment Western Pacific Assault Craft Unit 5, enters the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) while in port in Yokosuka, Japan, on June 14, 2009. U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are boarding the Essex in preparation to deploy for Talisman Sabre 2009, which is a biennial, joint, combined exercise sponsored by U.S. Pacific Command and the Australian Defense Force that focuses on the planning and execution of contingency response operations.

Landing craft air cushion 21 enters the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) .

Landing craft air cushion 21, also known as an LCAC, from Detachment Western Pacific Assault Craft Unit 5, enters the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) while in port in Yokosuka, Japan, on June 14, 2009. U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are boarding the Essex in preparation to deploy for Talisman Sabre 2009, which is a biennial, joint, combined exercise sponsored by U.S. Pacific Command and the Australian Defense Force that focuses on the planning and execution of contingency response operations.

Photo Gallery