USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) launches an Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV), out of its well deck, during an Amphibious Specialty Training (AST) off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. AST certifies the ship to conduct amphibious operations. USS Harpers Ferry is currently forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class

Pacific Ocean (Jan. 28, 2007) Ð Military Sealift Command (MSC) underway replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) transfers JP-5 to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a refueling at sea. Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is currently underway in support of operations in the Western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kathleen Gorby

OKINAWA, Japan (January 27, 2007) – Musician 3rd Class Christian Ivy makes a young Japanese boy laugh at the Kadena Children’s Center on Okinawa Jan. 27. Ivy and the other four members of U.S. Seventh Fleet Band’s “Shonan Brass” performed for children, teachers and volunteers at the center. USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked U.S. Seventh Fleet staff arrived on the island Jan. 26 as part of a regularly scheduled port visit. During the visit, Sailors participated in community service projects and were able to experience the culture of Okinawa. Blue Ridge also embarked Seabees and Marines for future port visits throughout the Pacific Rim as part of the community relations program, Project Friendship. Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, U.S. Seventh Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. Fleets, with 40-50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Schwarz.

Yokosuka, Japan (Jan. 23, 2007) - Sailors aboard the Avenger-class mine hunter USS Guardian (MCM 5) paint the hull while in port at Commander Fleet Activities, Yokosuka during the ship's visit from it's homeport of Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy photo my Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gabriel S. Weber

USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), Yokosuka, Japan (Jan. 4, 2007) - Seaman Jesse Soles form Madison, Ill., climbs down a rope ladder to a barge alongside USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) to paint the side of the ship. Kitty Hawk's Deck Department is responsible for painting and preservation of the ship's sides and weather decks. Kitty Hawk is conducting maintenance to keep the ship combat ready. Kitty Hawk operates from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photograph by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kyle D. Gahlau

Santa Rita, Guam (Jan. 18, 2007) - Submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) Command Master Chief Mark Fiorey waves the citation awarding the Guam-based submarine tender it's 12th Battle "E". The award was presented moments earlier by 7th Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Doug Crowder, center, in recognition for the ship's performance during 2006. The ship's commander is Capt. Leo Goff, far right. The tender is forward deployed in support of submarines deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Wood

Yokosuka, Japan (Nov. 03, 2006) – Chief Storekeeper (SW) Marco Paul Joven hands a box of donated goods collected by Project Handclasp to Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Sarah Rhoads during a working party to on load the materials into one of USS Blue Ridge’s (LCC 19) store rooms. Project Handclasp is a San Diego-based organization that works with U.S. Navy ships to transport humanitarian goods around the world. The 13 pallets received by Blue Ridge will be distributed during the ship’s next routinely scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David J. Hewitt