PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 26, 2007) Ð Three Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCAC) prepare to enter the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) after conducting LCAC maintenance turns. Tortuga and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESXARG) are currently conducting blue-greens as the first phase of their spring patrol. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brandon Myrick

Republic of the Philippines (Feb. 25, 2007) - USS Juneau (LPD 10) Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class (SW) Jose L. Ortega plays soccer with Aeta children at the Aeta Resettlement as part of the community service project here. Juneau Sailors and Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) played a number of sports activities with kids here while also completing a variety of on-site projects. The Aeta service project and medical civic action project (MEDCAP) one day prior have been the highlights of good will efforts by Juneau Sailors and embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Marines during the ship's three-day port visit to the Philippines. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Michael Gomez

Western Pacific (Feb. 24, 2007) – USS Lassen (DDG 82) (center), USS Mustin (DDG 89) (left), and USS Stethem (DDG 63) sail while in formation during Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness Measurement (SHAREM) 153 exercise. Five Destroyer Squadron 15 ships are participating in the five-day exercise designed to assess undersea warfare readiness and help develop the latest anti-submarine warfare tactics, techniques and procedures. U.S. Navy Photo released by CTF-70 Public Affairs.

Sasebo, Japan (Feb. 24, 2007) - Vice Adm. Yoji Koda, Commandant-Sasebo District, Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces, gives a speech at a reception in the hangar bay of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) honoring Ronald Reagan's first visit to Sasebo, Japan. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is currently on a surge deployment in support of U.S. military operations in the Western Pacific. Official U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW/SW) Dominique Lasco.

Sasebo, Japan (Feb. 24, 2007) - Senior leadership from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) perform a traditional breaking of the taru, or sake container, during a reception on board USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in honor of the aircraft carrier's first visit to Sasebo, Japan. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is currently on a surge deployment in support of U.S. military operations in the Western Pacific. Official U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW/SW) Dominique Lasco.

OLANGAPO CITY, Republic of the Philippines (Feb. 24, 2007) Ana Napuli (left) comforts her niece, Josielyn Maceda, while Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Alex E. Paquet, of USS Juneau (LPD 10), removes a cyst from Maceda's ear during a Medical and Dental Civil Action Program at the Barretto District Public Park, Feb. 24. Juneau Sailors, along with Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and local humanitarian workers, provided free care to the local residents. Paquet is a hospital corpsman with the USS Juneau. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Eric D. Arndt

USS TORTUGA (Feb. 23, 2007) – Gunners Mate 3rd Class Jong M. Lee while on board USS Tortuga (LSD 46) shoots a rope line over to USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) during an underway replenishment (UNREP) in the vicinity of Okinawa, Japan Feb 23. Tortuga and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESXARG) are currently conducting Blue-Greens as the first phase of their spring patrol. Tortuga is a dock landing ship serving under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brandon Myrick.