080508-N-5253W-026 SATTAHIP, Thailand (May 8, 2008) - Seaman (SW) Chris Smith, assigned to Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 1, directs a "Humvee" as it departs Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1627, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1. The LCU transported elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to shore from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is currently participating in Cobra Gold 2008 (CG08). CG08 is a military exercise designed to enhance interoperability between joint forces and the combined forces of , Thai, Singaporean, Ja
080508-N-5253W-026 SATTAHIP, Thailand (May 8, 2008) - Seaman (SW) Chris Smith, assigned to Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 1, directs a "Humvee" as it departs Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1627, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1. The LCU transported elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to shore from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is currently participating in Cobra Gold 2008 (CG08). CG08 is a military exercise designed to enhance interoperability between joint forces and the combined forces of , Thai, Singaporean, Japanese and Indonesian militaries. Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed 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. Navy photograph by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gabriel S. Weber (Released) photo essay 080508-N-5253W-026
Size: 1336px × 1870px
Photo credit: © PJF Military Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -deployed, 76, amphibious, armed, assault, conflict, ctf, essex, forces, japan, lhd2, military, navy, sasebo, states, united, war
