STRAIT OF BALABAC, Philippines (May 30, 2008) - Sailors from USS Dubuque (LPD 8) return to the ship with six Filipino mariners they rescued from a sinking vessel in the Balabac Strait. U.S. Navy Photo.

AT SEA (May 30 2008)--USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) steams within sight of Mount Fuji near Shimizu, Japan, its final stop to Shimizu ending a six week Spring Swing tour in the Pacific rim area of operations. During the tour, Blue Ridge made port visits to Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines fostering goodwill among PACRIM nations. Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman and serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward deployed amphibious force. Blue Ridge is the flagship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan. Official U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Heidi McCormick.

Yokosuka, Japan (May 28, 2008) - USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Sailors man the rails as the ship departs its forward-deployed operating base of Yokosuka, Japan for the last time. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s oldest active warship, with over 47 years of faithful service, 10 of those as the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier – a position that will soon be filled by USS George Washington (CVN 73). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shawn Cole

YOKOSUKA, Japan (May 28, 2008) – USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Sailors spell out sayonara on the flight deck as the ship departs Yokosuka, Japan's Truman Bay for the final time before being replaced by the USS George Washington (CVN 73) this summer. Kitty Hawk has been operating from Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka since 1998 when she replaced the USS Independence (CV 62). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau

Yokosuka, Japan (May 28, 2008) - USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Sailors man the rails as the ship departs its forward-deployed operating base of Yokosuka, Japan for the last time. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s oldest active warship, with over 47 years of faithful service, 10 of those as the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier – a position that will soon be filled by USS George Washington (CVN 73). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shawn Cole

MANILA, Philippines (May 24, 2008) -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Storekeeper 1st Class (SW/AW) Jarriel Gardner pauses from planting American and Philippine flags on graves at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial to reflect upon the name etched into the white marble cross headstone in front of him. To pay respect for their military brethren on this Memorial Day, Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet Staff Sailors planted flags at the 17,202 graves of fallen service members from WWII who are laid to rest at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman and serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward deployed amphibious force. Blue Ridge is the flagship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Peter D. Lawlor.

MANILA, Republic of the Philippines (May 24, 2008) - Musician 2nd Class Alex Ivey sings "Come fly with me" during a U.S. 7th Fleet Band performance at the Mall of Asia in Manila. The band, currently embarked aboard the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), arrived in Manila May 22 for a scheduled port visit. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Adam Vernon.