110627-N-2903M-004 OKINAWA, Japan (June 27, 2011) - Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) walk down the pier at White Beach Naval Facility to embark the forward deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex, commanded by Capt. David Fluker, is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is in Okinawa to embark the 31st MEU to participate in exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Terry Matlock/Released)

110627-N-JL509-054 PUERTA PRINCESA, Republic of the Philippines (June 27, 2011) - Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Brown, Commanding Officer USS Guardian (MCM 5), presents a photo of Guardian and a ship’s coin to Police Senior Superintendent Virgilio C. Parrocha, City Director of the Puerto Princesa City Police, after a pier-side tour of the ship. (U.S. Navy Photo by Lt. Colby Drake)

110625-N-ER662-139 EAST CHINA SEA (June 25, 2011) - Lance Cpl. Kevin Caudell (left) and Lance Cpl. Andrew Shultz, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 214, perform maintenance on an AV-8B Harrier aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. Cole)

110617-N-RR409-016 YIGO, Guam (June 17, 2011) - A young family waits to welcome back her uncle, while waiting for the arrival of Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 Det. 6 after a six-month deployment at the HSC 25 hangar on Andersen Air Force Base during a homecoming ceremony June 17. (U.S. Navy photo by Anna-Victoria Crisostomo)

110615-N-JL509-029 SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (June 15, 2011) – Sailors from USS Guardian (MCM 5), USS Avenger (MCM 1) and members of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces practice good sportsmanship before games of soccer and volleyball. Guardian and Avenger are in Cambodia as part of a Western Pacific deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Colby Drake)

110602-N-0369Y-002 Pattaya Beach, Thailand (June 6th, 2011) — LCDR Patrick L. German presents RADM Supapong, COS for Sattahip Naval Base, the Royal Thai Navy with a plaque commemorating the AVENGER’s first visit to Pattaya Beach, Thailand. The AVENGER conducted community relations projects and was hosted by a local restaurant, the Swiss House, while in Pattaya. This is the fifth port visit during Avenger's first deployment since being forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian A. Stone)

110607-N-SP676-365 KUANTAN, Malaysia (June 7, 2011)—A Malaysian boy reads a comic book to Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Jamie Webbs, a Sailor aboard USS Ford (FFG 54), during a community service project at a local orphanage. The community service project is a part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011, an international military training exercise that involves community engagement in Southeast Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian A. Stone)

110609-N-1077V-001 KOREAN STRAIT (June 9, 2011) Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) sailors aboard ROKS Cheong Hae Jin (ARS 1) recover U.S. minehunting equipment off the coast of Chinhae, Republic of Korea. ROKS Gang Gyeong and ROKS Ong Jin were also involved in location and recovery operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Chris Van Allen/Released)

VIDEO - AFN Update covering Press Availability

SASEBO (June 6, 2011)- Commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet, Rear Adm. J. Scott Jones, and Commander, Escort Flotilla One, Rear Adm. Hiroyuki Kasui (JMSDF), talk with local press at Fleet Activities Sasebo to answer questions about relief efforts during Operation Tomodachi.

110531-N-SP676-124 STRAIT OF MALACCA (May 31, 2011)—Boatswain's Mate Senior Chief Ken Crowther, a safety observer, oversees well deck operations aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 46) as the ship docks a landing craft utility boat. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian A. Stone)

110601-N-SP676-160 GALASA STRAIT (June 1, 2011)—Gunner's Mate Seaman Mark Lewis cleans the the ammunition tracks on a .50-caliber machine gun mount aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 46). One of a Gunner's Mates primary responsibilities include maintaining the working condition of a ship's weapons systems. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian A. Stone)