SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 28, 2010) - Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit board a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter before fast-rope training aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex, commanded by Capt. Troy Hart, is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting spring patrol throughout the Western Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 28, 2010) USS Tortuga and a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) launched from her welldeck sail in the haze off the coast of Iwo To, Japan, formerly known as Iwo Jima. Tortuga arrived off the coast of Iwo To with support gear and personnel for the US-Japanese 65th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima to be held March 3. (US Navy photo by Cmdr. James Lowell)

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IWO TO, Japan (Feb. 28, 2010) Japanese military personnel look on as a US Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) arrives on Iwo To, Japan, formerly known as Iwo Jima, carrying Marines and vans to support the US-Japanese 65th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima. USS Tortuga arrived off the coast of Iwo To Feb. 28. (US Navy photo by Cmdr. James Lowell/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 28, 2010) US Marine vehicles wait on the deck of the USS Tortuga for transport ashore to Iwo To, formerly known as Iwo Jima, by Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) to support the US-Japanese 65th anniversary Reunion of Honor on the island. Tortuga arrived off the coast of Iwo To, Japan Feb. 28. (US Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Denver Applehans)

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100228-N-7843A-018 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 28, 2010) Sailors aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 49) and Marines from the III Marine Expeditionary Force prepare a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) loaded with vans to support the 65th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima on the Japanese island of Iwo To. Tortuga arrived off the coast of Iwo To Feb. 28 and is supporting the US-Japanese Reunion of Honor scheduled for March 3. (US Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Denver Applehans)

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SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 28, 2010) Marines assigned to the Battalion Landing Team 2/7 of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), test and familiarize set-up of VRC-117 satellite radio communications aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Harpers Ferry is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and is conducting spring patrol to the Western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino/Released)

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SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 28, 2010) Marines assigned to the Battalion Landing Team 2/7 of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), train to familiarize set-up, operate and disassembly of BGM-71 Tube Launch, Optically Tracked, Wire Guided Missile Weapons System. Harpers Ferry, with embarked 31st MEU, is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and is conducting spring patrol to the Western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino/Released)

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ATSUGI, Japan (Feb. 28, 2010) - a Sailor from the Liberty Bells, Airborne Early Warning (VAW) 115 directs one of three new E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft taxis upon arriving Feb. 28 at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. Their arrival, along with 24 newer F/A-18E Super Hornets in the past two months, is part of several recent upgrades to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 making it the most powerful and capable airwing in the U.S. Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mike R. Mulcare/Released)

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SEA OF JAPAN (February 28, 2010) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Linesha Cunningham assigned to the “Indians” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6, conducts maintenance on the weapons system of an HH-60H Seahawk prior to a material condition inspection, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Maritime Strategy (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Mitchell/ Released)

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SEA OF JAPAN (February 28, 2010) Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) 3rd Class Bradley Frame assigned to the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, performs electrical maintenance on an F/A-18E Super Hornet aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Maritime Strategy (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Mitchell/ Released)

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