SUBIC BAY, Republic of the Philippines - USS Essex (LHD 2) Cryptologic Technician "Technical" 2nd Class Samantha Plager helps paint the library for the Angel C. Manglicmot Memorial Elementary School during a friendship building project, March 5. The Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESX ESG) arrived for the annual Republic of the Philippines and the United States bilateral exercise Balikatan (BK 08), Feb 18. The U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines designed the exercise to ensure humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts are efficient and effective. ESX ESG is the only forward-deployed amphibious strike group and serves Task Force 76 the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy photograph by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Didier. (Released)

BALABAC, Republic of Philippines (Feb. 29, 2008) - Lt. Brandt L. Cullen and Hospital Corpsmen 3rd Class Felicia L. Wall from dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry perform a dental exam during Dental Civic Action Program as part of exercise Balikitan 2008. Balikatan 2008 is a regularly scheduled exercise that will improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue professional relationships between the US Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl (Released)

BALABAC, Republic of Philippines (Feb. 29, 2008) - Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (FMF) Wesley A. Rodrigez, from Miami Fla., demonstrates proper dental hygiene to children at a medical and dental civic action program during Balikatan 2008. Balikatan 2008 is a regularly scheduled exercise designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue professional relationships between the US Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl (Released)

BALABAC, Republic of Philippines (Feb. 29, 2008) - Lt.Todd E. Gregory attached to 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit checks a child's heart rate during Balikatan 2008. Balikatan is a regularly scheduled exercise designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue professional relationships between the U.S. Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl (Released)

BUSAN, Republic of Korea (Feb. 28, 2008) - Sailors from the Republic of Korea (ROK) welcome the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as the ship arrives to take part in Exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2008, an annual joint exercise involving forces from both the United States and Republic of Korea. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st. Class Todd MacDonald

BUSAN, Korea (Feb. 26, 2008) – Vice Adm. Doug Crowder, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, commends the crew of USS Ohio (SSGN 726) for their hard work and ambassadorship during a six-day port visit to Busan, Korea. Crowder also addressed questions from the crew about Ohio’s maiden voyage, as a guided missile submarine, and the future of the guided missile submarine in the 7th Fleet’s area of responsibility. Ohio is currently making its first foreign port visit since its commissioning in 1981. Ohio is the first of four converted Trident ballistic missile submarines to guided missile submarines that have conventional land attack and special operations forces platform capabilities. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry R. Hirayama

BUSAN, Korea (Feb. 26, 2008) – Vice Adm. Doug Crowder, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, commends the crew of USS Ohio (SSGN 726) for their hard work and ambassadorship during a six-day port visit to Busan, Korea. Crowder also addressed questions from the crew about Ohio’s maiden voyage, as a guided missile submarine, and the future of the guided missile submarine in the 7th Fleet’s area of responsibility. Ohio is currently making its first foreign port visit since its commissioning in 1981. Ohio is the first of four converted Trident ballistic missile submarines to guided missile submarines that have conventional land attack and special operations forces platform capabilities. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry R. Hirayama