THE TENSION: Combat Camera: On Board USS Tarawa, Jan. 11, 2008

MIDDLE EAST (Dec. 28, 2007) The rising sun shines through the cockpit of an AV-8B Harrier II aircraft on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1). The Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel A. Barker (Released)

MIDDLE EAST (Jan. 09, 2008) The amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) conducts a vertical replenishment at sea. The Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Lt.j.g. Lauren A. Goldenberg (Released)

INDIAN OCEAN (Dec. 22, 2007) An AV-8B Harrier II launches from the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA1) as the ship transits the Indian Ocean. Tarawa and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jon Husman (Released)

INDIAN OCEAN (Dec. 23, 2007) Lcdr. Lu Le returns a serve during a ping-pong game held during Captain's Cup Competition aboard amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1). Tarawa and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel A. Barker (Released)

INDIAN OCEAN (Dec. 22, 2007) Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd class Deric Parsoneault, a search and rescue swimmer, communicates with the pilot of an MH-60S "Seahawk" helicopter attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1). Tarawa and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jon Husman (Released)

INDIAN OCEAN (Dec. 22, 2007) The amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) transits through the Indian Ocean. Tarawa and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jon Husman (Released)

INDIAN OCEAN (Dec. 20, 2007) Aviation crewmembers check an AV-8B Harrier before it takes off from the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1). Tarawa and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel A. Barker (Released)

INDIAN OCEAN (Dec. 20, 2007) An AV-8B Harrier tied down to the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1), awaiting the day's flight operations. Tarawa and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy Illustration by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jon Husman (Released)

INDIAN OCEAN (Dec. 23, 2007) AV-8B Harrier II aircraft are parked on the flight deck aboard amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) during sunrise. Tarawa and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel A. Barker (Released)

MIDDLE EAST (Dec. 29, 2007) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), in the distance, passes the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) as dawn breaks. The Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel A. Barker (Released)