Landing Craft Utility (LCU 1651)

A Landing Craft Utility (LCU) arrives just offshore to unload supplies and equipment in support of exercise Balikatan 2004. Close to 300 Marines and Sailors arrived at Fort Ternante, Philippines in order to participate in exercise Balikatan 2004 at Subic Bay, Philippines. Balikatan 2004 is a regularly scheduled exercise that will improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue professional relationships between the U.S. Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Yarnall)

Landing Craft Utility (LCU 1664)

Elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (24th MEU (SOC)) offload personnel and equipment at Camp Patriot in preparation for operations in Iraq. More than 2,200 Marines attached to the 24th MEU (SOC) have hit the beaches in U.S. Navy Landing Craft Utility (LCU) and Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Joe Krypel.

Landing Craft Utility (LCU 1634)

A Landing Craft Utility (LCU), delivers Sailors and U.S. Marines from the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) to the island of Iwo Jima. The Essex ARG, consisting of USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), and USS Juneau (LPD 10), are off the coast of Iwo Jima to participate in the 58th Anniversary Commemoration of the historic battle. Iwo Jima was the largest sustained aerial offensive of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. The U.S. sent over 110,000 Marines in 880 ships in what also became the largest invasion force of the Pacific Campaign. It took 36 days of fighting and more than 25,000 U.S. casualties to break through and bring the island under American control. Today's forward deployed Sailors from the Essex ARG and embarked Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable, continue to sail throughout the Pacific to help promote peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Wes Eplen)

Landing Craft Utility (LCU 1631)

Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1631 carries U.S. Marines to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex for assistance and transportation to Okinawa, Japan. LCU 1631 transported more than 900 stranded servicemembers, part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, from Pohang, Republic of Korea, to the Essex. With the Marines’ transportation affected by Typhoon ‘Rusa’ and running low on supplies, Essex was dispatched from its forward-deployed port of Sasebo, Japan, to Pohang to assist the Marines, just finished participating in the joint-combined exercise "Ulchi Focus Lens 2002" with the Republic of Korea and United States Combined Forces Command. Essex is forward-deployed to Sasebo and LCU 1631 is attached to Assault Craft Unit One Western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Gary B. Granger.

Landing Craft Utility (LCU 1681)

Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1681 approaches the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). New Orleans and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) are deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dominique Pineiro/Released)

HMAS Betano (L 133)

Landing Craft Heavy, HMAS Betano (L 133) launches an Army Lighter, Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC) during Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period. The Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army have tested their collective metal in a major exercise near Darwin. The second Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period of 2011 has concluded after a week of joint-service-in -company-training in the Northern Australian Exercise area. (Photo: RAN)

HMAS Labuan (L 128)

HMAS Labuan beaches at Turtle Beach, Cairns during a simulated hostile exercise for the Minor War Vessel Concentration Period. Mid Caption: The Minor War Vessel Concentration Period was held 30 May - 3 Jun 11 in waters off Cairns. During the week long exercise, HMA Ships Launceston, Brunei, Labuan, Wewak, Shepparton and Benalla practiced a range of skills, with escalating levels of difficulty to challenge their capabilities. Squirrel and A109E Augusta helicopters operated by 723 Squadron took part in the exercise, enabling the ship's companies to test their aviation skills. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Labuan (L 128)

HMAS Labuan (L 128), approaches Turtle Beach in Cairns to conduct a beach landing as a part of a training exercise during the Minor War Vessel Concentration Period. The Minor War Vessel Concentration Period was held 30 May - 3 Jun 11 in waters off Cairns. During the week long exercise, HMA Ships Launceston, Brunei, Labuan, Wewak, Shepparton and Benalla practiced a range of skills, with escalating levels of difficulty to challenge their capabilities. Squirrel and A109E Augusta helicopters operated by 723 Squadron took part in the exercise, enabling the ship's companies to test their aviation skills. (Photo: RAN)

HMAS Labuan (L128)

HMAS LABUAN sails for Cairns after participating in the Minor Warship Concentration Period off the Queensland coast. (Photo: RAN)

HMAS Labuan (L128)

HMAS Labuan, approaches Turtle Beach in Cairns to conduct a beach landing as a part of a training exercise during the Minor War Vessel Concentration Period. The Minor War Vessel Concentration Period was held 30 May - 3 Jun 11 in waters off Cairns. During the week long exercise, HMA Ships Launceston, Brunei, Labuan, Wewak, Shepparton and Benalla practiced a range of skills, with escalating levels of difficulty to challenge their capabilities. Squirrel and A109E Augusta helicopters operated by 723 Squadron took part in the exercise, enabling the ship's companies to test their aviation skills. (Photo: RAN)

HMAS Betano (L113)

Trooper Ryan Jordan provides cover as Landing Craft Heavy, HMAS Betano recovers an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (AUSLAV) during Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period. The Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army have tested their collective metal in a major exercise near Darwin. The second Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period of 2011 has concluded after a week of joint-service-in -company-training in the Northern Australian Exercise area. (Photo: RAN)

HMAS Betano (L113)

Landing Craft Heavy, HMAS Betano recovers an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (AUSLAV) during Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period. The Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army have tested their collective metal in a major exercise near Darwin. The second Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period of 2011 has concluded after a week of joint-service-in -company-training in the Northern Australian Exercise area. (Photo: RAN)

HMAS Betano (L113)

Landing Craft Heavy, HMAS Betano recovers an Army Lighter, Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC) during Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period. The Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army have tested their collective metal in a major exercise near Darwin. The second Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period of 2011 has concluded after a week of joint-service-in -company-training in the Northern Australian Exercise area. (Photo: RAN)

Calaboza (LCU 2009)

Pacific Reach 2011 (PR11) took place at Yokohama North Dock from 21 August to 14 September 2011. The focus of PR11 was the utilization of Army watercraft for humanitarian assistance/disaster relief in case of a large-scale disaster. (Photo by USARJ PAO)

Calaboza (LCU2009 )

Pacific Reach 2011 (PR11) took place at Yokohama North Dock from 21 August to 14 September 2011. The focus of PR11 was the utilization of Army watercraft for humanitarian assistance/disaster relief in case of a large-scale disaster. (Photo by USARJ PAO)

HMAS Betano (L133)

HMAS Betano sails from Luganville, Vanuatu during Pacific Partnership. Mid Caption: Pacific Partnership 2011 (PP11) is an annual Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) program sponsored by the Commander US Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT). The deployment aims to strengthen alliances and promote multilateral security cooperation. Commander of the Australian Contingent, Commander Ashley Papp, RAN, says PP11 aims to develop the ability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to operate in close cooperation with its military colleagues from the US, New Zealand and other military and non-military participants, and to improve the way of life for Australia’s Pacific neighbours. PP11 will deliver engineering and medical aid to Vanuatu, Tonga, Papua New Guinea (PNG), East Timor and the Federated States of Micronesia from aboard USS Cleveland. The ADF contribution to the mission will include approximately 40 members in two phases, comprising engineering, medical and veterinary personnel. A deployable Geospatial Team will also embark for survey tasks. HMA Ships Betano and Balikpapan will provide vital ship to shore support. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Balikpapan (L126)

Aerial view of HMAS Balikpapan along side at Santo Island, Vanuatu during Pacific Partnership. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Balikpapan (L126)

Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) HMAS Balikpapan at Leutem, East Timor during Exercise Pacific Partnership 2011 (PP11). (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Balikpapan (L126)

Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) HMAS Balikpapan at Leutem, East Timor during Exercise Pacific Partnership 2011 (PP11). (Photo: RAN)

HMAS Tarakan (L129)

HMAS Tarakan prepares for HMAS Labuan to come alongside whilst at anchor off Halmahera Island, Indonesia during Pacific Partnership 2010. (Photo: RAN)