SEA OF JAPAN (Feb. 28, 2009) Sailors aboard guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), lower a rigid hull inflatable boat for a personnel transfer off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. McCain is one of seven destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and permanently forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder)

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KUMAMOTO, Japan (Feb. 28, 2009) Sailors embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) enter the Izumi Shinto Shrine at the Suizenji Jojuen Garden to ask for good luck and fortune during a Morale Welfare and Recreation sponsored tour to Kumamoto Castle. Stennis, as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is in Sasebo, Japan, as part of a scheduled port visit during a six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (US Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Chad Dulac/Released)

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KUMAMOTO, Japan (Feb. 28, 2009) Sailors embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) walk the halls of Honmaru Goten Palace during a Morale Welfare and Recreation sponsored tour to Kumamoto Castle. Stennis, as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is in Sasebo, Japan, as part of a scheduled port visit during a six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (US Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Chad Dulac/Released)

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KAGOSHIMA, Japan (Feb. 28, 2009) Sailors from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) and students and coaches from Satsunan High School bow to each other as a sign of respect following a softball game in Kagoshima, Japan as part of a command sponsored community relations project. Antietam, as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, is in Kagoshima as part of a scheduled port visit during a six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman/ Released)

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YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 28, 2009) - Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan, Rear Adm. James D. Kelly, renders the Boy Scout salute during the closing of a ceremony where he was presented the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. The award is earned by scouts with a record of voluntary community service, both as a youth and adult, and is only given after 25 years of being an Eagle Scout. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Charles Oki)

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South China Sea (Feb. 28, 2009) Search and rescue (SAR) swimmer Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Cody Robbins prepares to load "Oscar," the man overboard dummy, onto a stretcher during a training exercise aboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Harpers Ferry is forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan and operates as part of the only forward-deployed U.S. expeditionary strike group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew R. White/Released)

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South China Sea (Feb. 28, 2009) Boatswains Mate 3rd Class Kyle Eggering positions a CH-46E Sea Knight assigned to "The Flying Tigers" of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262 on the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Harpers Ferry is forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan and operates as part of the only forward-deployed U.S. expeditionary strike group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew R. White/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 27, 2009) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) transits to its anchoring point in Sasebo Ko, Japan. Stennis, as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, is in Sasebo as part of a scheduled port visit during a six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josue L. Escobosa/ Released)

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YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 27, 2009) - James P. Zumwalt, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of U.S. Embassy Tokyo, presents a certificate of citizenship to 7-year-old Martin Ulsano during a naturalization ceremony at Fleet Activities Yokosuka's Chapel of Hope. Ulsano is the first child to be naturalized overseas under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008. The new citizens, more than 70 service members and family members come from diverse backgrounds, hailing from China, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, France, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Romania, and Vietnam. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derek J. Hurder)

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OKINAWA, Japan (Feb. 27, 2009)--Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76 Rear Adm. Richard B. Landolt congratulates USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Sailors on earning the Battle Effectiveness Award. Landolt said, "I mean it when I say you are my best ship...there is no doubt about it." Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. Thom W. Burke 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 3rd Class Daniel Viramontes/Released)

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