THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Essex, Gulf of Thailand; May 11, 2008

GULF OF THAILAND (May 8, 2008) The amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) at anchor in the Gulf of Thailand. Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. expeditionary strike group and is participating in Cobra Gold 2008, a joint military exercise sponsored by the United States and Thailand designed to enhance interoperability between joint U.S. forces and the combined forces of the Thai, Singaporean, Japanese and Indonesian militaries. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kari R. Bergman (Released)

SATTAHIP, Thailand (May 8, 2008) Seaman Chris Smith, assigned to Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 1, directs a Humvee as it departs Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1627. The LCU is transporting elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) ashore from the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is participating in Cobra Gold 2008, a joint military exercise sponsored by the United States and Thailand designed to enhance interoperability between joint U.S. forces and the combined forces of the Thai, Singaporean, Japanese and Indonesian militaries. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gabriel S. Weber (Released)

SATTAHIP, Thailand (May 8, 2008) U. S. Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Sailors assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1 and Beachmaster Unit (BMU 1) prepare to unload Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1631 after transporting vehicles and equipment from the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is participating in Cobra Gold 2008, a joint military exercise sponsored by the United States and Thailand designed to enhance interoperability between joint U.S. forces and the combined forces of the Thai, Singaporean, Japanese and Indonesian militaries. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gabriel S. Weber (Released)

SATTAHIP, Thailand (May 8, 2008) A U.S. Marine assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit peers from the driver's seat of a landing assault vehicle as the crew prepares to disembark from a landing craft, May 8, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriel S. Weber

SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 10, 2008) Lt. Cmdr. Kevi Christopher, assigned to Fleet Surgical Team 7, performs an out-patient surgical procedure on a Marine aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex and the amphibious transport dock ship USS Juneau (LPD 10), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LPD 49) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) are moving to the Andaman Sea off the coast of Burma for potential humanitarian assistance operations in the wake of cyclone Nargis. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Didier (Released)

GULF OF THAILAND (May 9, 2008) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) remove cargo nets from pallets of food, water and emergency supplies delivered to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during a vertical replenishment. Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. expeditionary strike group and was participating in Cobra Gold 2008, a military exercise centered around a humanitarian assistance mission. The amphibious assault ship with USS Juneau (LPD 10), USS Harpers Ferry (LPD 49) and USS Mustin (DDG 89) are moving to the Andaman Sea off the coast of Burma for potential humanitarian assistance operations in the wake of cyclone Nargis. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Didier (Released)

GULF OF THAILAND (May 8, 2008) Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1627 departs the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) in the Gulf of Thailand during Cobra Gold 2008, a joint military exercise sponsored by the United States and Thailand designed to enhance interoperability between joint U.S. forces and the combined forces of the Thai, Singaporean, Japanese and Indonesian militaries. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kari R. Bergman (Released)

SATTAHIP, Thailand (May 8, 2008) U.S. Navy sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex prepare to chain a landing craft to the ship during a stern-gate marriage, May 8, 2008. Landing crafts transported elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from Essex to the shore. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriel S. Weber