SEA OF JAPAN (Sept. 7, 2010) A CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter lands during the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) Air Combat Element fly-on aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is conducting a patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew A. Ebarb/Released)