120215-N-MU720-130 HAKODATE, Japan (Feb. 15, 2012) Mineman Seaman Bryan Surber, assigned to USS Patriot (MCM 7), gives a tour of the ship's combat information center to Sailors from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force as Patriot is currently in Hakodate, Japan for a goodwill port visit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devon Dow/Released)

120215-N-MU720-029 HAKODATE, Japan (Feb. 15, 2012) Lt. Cmdr. Suzanne Schang, commanding officer of USS Patriot (MCM 7), reads the inscription on the gravesite of Seaman James G. Wolfe, one of two American Sailors who perished during the 1854 U.S. expedition to Hakodate, Japan led by Commodore Matthew Perry. Patriot is currently in Hakodate on a goodwill port visit, engaging with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devon Dow/Released)

120214-N-WV964-009 USS GERMANTOWN, at sea (Feb 14, 2012)- Information Technician 2nd Class Raymond Jackson performs a respiratory fitting test on Hull Technician 3rd Class Adrine Thomas aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, with embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is currently underway in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, an annual Thai-U.S. co-sponsored joint and multinational exercise designed to advance security throughout the Asia-Pacific region and enhance interoperability with participating nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Johnie Hickmon/Released)

120212-N-WV964-152 SATTAHIP, Kingdom of Thailand (Feb 12, 2012)- Mock non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) participants exit a CH-46 Sea Knight aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). The ship served as a staging area during the mock NEO, where participants were given a tour of what services the ship could provide. Germantown, with embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is currently underway in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, an annual Thai-U.S. co-sponsored joint and multinational exercise designed to advance security throughout the Asia-Pacific region and enhance interoperability with participating nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Johnie Hickmon/Released)

120212-N-WV964-012 SATTAHIP, Kingdom of Thailand (Feb 12, 2012)- Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Ulyses Morero signals to a Marine CH-46 Sea Knight prior to it taking off during a mock non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). The ship served as a staging area during the mock NEO, where participants were given a tour of what services the ship could provide. Germantown, with embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is currently underway in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, an annual Thai-U.S. co-sponsored joint and multinational exercise designed to advance security throughout the Asia-Pacific region and enhance interoperability with participating nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Johnie Hickmon/Released)

120210-M-HG547-013 U.S. Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicles maneuver back to USS Tortuga (LSD 46) after completing training at Hat Yao Beach, during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, Feb. 10. Cobra Gold is an annual multinational, multilateral training exercise held throughout the Kingdom of Thailand. It is the largest multilateral exercise in the Asia Pacific region and offers more than 20 participating countries critical training opportunities to improve interoperability in conducting multinational operations. The amphibious assault vehicles are with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Courtney G. White/Released)

120207-N-WV964-185 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb 07, 2012)- Boatswain's Mate Seaman Ulyses Morero signals to an incoming Marine CH-46 Sea Knight during flight operations aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, with embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), is currently underway in support of Cobra Gold 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Johnie Hickmon/Released)

120207-N-LP801-128 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb 07, 2012) -A CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter prepares for takeoff during flight operations aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, with embarked elements of the 31st MEU, is currently underway in support of Cobra Gold 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Raul Moreno Jr./Released)

120207-N-LP801-092 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb 07, 2012) - Lance Corporal Gavin Christian, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), looks out of the side of a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter during flight operations with the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, with embarked elements of the 31st MEU, is currently underway in support of Cobra Gold 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Raul Moreno Jr./Released)

120207-N-WV964-007 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb 07, 2012)- Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Ibim Briggs conducts hearing preservation training for Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) in the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, with embarked elements of the 31st MEU, is currently underway in support of Cobra Gold 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Johnie Hickmon/Released)

120204-N-WV964-005 EAST CHINA SEA (Feb 04, 2012)- Fire Controlman 2nd Class Peter Lopez answers questions about gun safety before a small arms shoot aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, with embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently underway in support of Cobra Gold 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Johnie Hickmon/Released)

120204-N-DX698-108 TOMAKOMAI, Japan (Feb. 4, 2012) --Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly Member, Ren Endo stops to speak with Sailors on the quarterdeck aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Blue Ridge is in Tomakomai for a goodwill port visit. Sailors spent the day giving tours to local residents and members of local government. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay M. Chu/Released)

120204-N-DX698-107 TOMAKOMAI, Japan (Feb. 4, 2012) -- Members of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force come aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) for a tour. Blue Ridge is in Tomakomai for a goodwill port visit. Sailors spent the day giving tours to local residents and members of local government. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay M. Chu/Released)

120202-N-DB801-059 PACIFIC OCEAN(Feb. 2, 2012) -- Boatwain's Mate Seaman Trenton Brands mans a lookout from the bridge of U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC19). Blue Ridge is underway following a maintenance period at Command, Fleet Activities Yokosuka.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Steven Khor/Released)

120201-N-LP801-387 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb 01, 2012)- Operations Specialist 3rd class Brian Daniels demonstrates defensive maneuvers after being sprayed with oleoresin capsicum (OC) during ship reaction force (SRF) training aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown is deployed in support of Cobra Gold 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Raul Moreno Jr./Released)