HONG KONG (Jan. 28, 2008) - Capt. David Lausman, commanding officer, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) addresses members of the media during an availability aboard the 7th Fleet flagship upon the ship's arrival in Hong Kong. Blue Ridge arrived Jan. 28 for a scheduled port visit. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Adam Vernon

HONG KONG (Jan. 28, 2008) - Capt. David Lausman, commanding officer, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) addresses members of the media during an availability aboard the 7th Fleet flagship upon the ships arrival in Hong Kong. Blue Ridge arrived Jan. 28 for a scheduled port visit. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Ben Farone

Aircraft Handling Officer Lt.j.g. Sirjoo Jitindra coordinates USS Essex LHD 2 flight deck crew during a nighttime medical evacuation. Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class David Didier.

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 24, 2008) – USS Pasadena (SSN 752) Commanding Officer Cmdr. Doug Perry leads a ceremony bidding farewell to Rear Adm. Eugene Fluckey. Perry read a few excerpts from “Thunder Below!” an account of late admiral’s accomplishments, just before Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Lee Sisco scattered his ashes into the South China Sea from the Pasadena, a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine. The ashes were scattered at the same location where Fluckey and his crew rescued 14 allied POWs stranded at sea more than 60 years ago. Fluckey, a decorated World War II hero, is a submarine icon best known for his Pacific campaign exploits during World War II aboard USS Barb. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry R. Hirayama

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 24, 2008) – Sonar Technician (Submarine) 2nd Class Mike Micheli renders a 13-gun salute during a burial at sea for the late retired Rear Adm. Eugene Fluckey. Fluckey, a decorated World War II hero, is a submarine icon best known for his Pacific campaign exploits during World War II aboard USS Barb. The ashes were scattered from USS Pasadena (SSN 752) at the same location where Fluckey and his crew rescued 14 allied POWs stranded at sea more than 60 years ago. Pasadena is currently on a scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean conducting mission tasking in support of national, Pacific Command and Commander Submarine Group 7 theater objectives. U.S. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry R. Hirayama

SUBIC BAY, Philippines (Jan. 21, 2008) -- Olongapo's Police Senior Superintendent, Abelardo P. Villacorta presents USS Pasadena (SSN 752) Chief of the Boat, Command Master Chief Jim Lyle, with an Olongapo City Police ball cap during a tour of the submarine. Pasadena is currently on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry Hirayama

SUBIC BAY, Philippines (Jan. 21, 2008) -- USS Pasadena's Chief of the Boat, Command Master Chief Jim Lyle, shows Olongapo city officials how submarines drive under the water. The demonstration took place while giving a boat tour aboard USS Pasadena (SSN-752) Jan. 21 in Subic Bay, Philippines, during a scheduled port visit. Pasadena is currently on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry Hirayama