Posted: 04/01/2009
A CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter lands aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex as a landing craft utility vehicle approaches to enter the well deck in the South China Sea, April 13, 2009. Essex is participating in Balikatan 2009, an annual bilateral exercise involving U.S. military and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez