EAST CHINA SEA (Jan. 29, 2009) Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Kevin Harris, from Drew, Miss., stands watch on the helm aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2).

Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. expeditionary strike group and serves as the flagship for Combined Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force commander.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio/Release)