THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Boxer, May 8, 2009; Rear Adm Michelle Howard

INDIAN OCEAN (May 4, 2009) Rear Adm. Michelle Howard, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, addresses Sailors and Marines assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). Howard thanked the crew for their hard work and dedication to mission accomplishment. Boxer is deployed as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group/13th Marine Expeditionary Unit supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Laura A. Moore.)

INDIAN OCEAN (May 3, 2009) Sailors assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 163 and air handlers assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) conduct AV-8B harrier flight operations. Boxer is deployed as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group/13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Laura A. Moore.)

INDIAN OCEAN (April 16, 2009) A search and rescue swimmer jumps from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 Det. 3. HSC-21 is embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), deployed as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group/13th MEU supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jon Rasmussen.)

INDIAN OCEAN (May 3, 2009) A pilot assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 163 receives signals from air handlers before take-off during AV-8B Harrier flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). Boxer is deployed as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group/13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Laura A. Moore.)

INDIAN OCEAN (May 3, 2009) An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 163 conducts flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). Boxer is deployed as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group/13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Laura A. Moore.)

INDIAN OCEAN (April 16, 2009) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 Det. 3, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), approaches the ship to land after a search and rescue exercise. HSC-21 is responsible for providing ready search and rescue capabilities anytime the ship is conducting flight operations. Boxer is deployed as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group/13th MEU supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jon Rasmussen.)

INDIAN OCEAN (April 16, 2009) Search and rescue swimmers are hoisted out of the water by an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 Det. 3. HSC-21 is embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), deployed as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group/13th MEU supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jon Rasmussen.)