USS Denver (LPD 9)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9) moors at Laem Chabang, Thailand after participating in Cobra Gold 2011. Cobra Gold is a multinational military exercise co-sponsored by the U.S. and Thailand. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo C. Aquino/Released)

USS Denver (LPD 9)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9) cruises the South China Sea while participating in exercise Balikatan 2010 (BK 10). BK 10 is an annual, bilateral exercise designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Republic of the Philippines. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez/Released)

USS Denver (LPD 9)

Sailors man the rails in heavy rain aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9) as tugboats guide her from her berthing to participate in exercise Talisman Saber '09. Talisman Saber is an Australian and U.S. combined exercise designed to prepare both nations in crisis action planning and the execution of contingency operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl/Released)

USS Denver (LPD 9)

Amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) steams in formation during a photo exercise near Guam. Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group consists of Amphibious Squadron 7, amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Denver, dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), guided missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69), guided missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), guided missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65), and 2,200 combat ready Marines of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mark Patterson II)

USS Denver (LPD 9)

The amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) departs from Pier 6 on board Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., to conduct routine work-up training off the coast of Southern California. Navy ships and submarines often conduct routine drills and exercises off the Southern California coast in preparation for deployments. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Charles E. Alvarado)

USS Cleveland (LPD 7)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) transits the Pacific Ocean during Pacific Partnership 2011. Pacific Partnership is a five-month humanitarian assistance initiative that will make port visits to Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the Federated States of Micronesia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Grandin/Released)

USS Cleveland (LPD 7)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after a scheduled port visit. Cleveland is the flagship for Pacific Partnership 2011, which will visit five island nations this summer: Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Pacific Partnership 2011 is a humanitarian assistance initiative, which promotes cooperation throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup/Released)

USS Cleveland (LPD 7)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) transits the Pacific Ocean. Cleveland is the flagship for Pacific Partnership 2011, which will visit five island nations this summer: Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Pacific Partnership 2011 is a humanitarian assistance initiative, which promotes cooperation throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Russell/Released)

USS Cleveland (LPD 7)

The Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) returns to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 exercises. RIMPAC is a biennial, multinational exercise designed to strengthen regional partnerships and improve multinational interoperability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jon Dasbach/Released)

USS Cleveland (LPD 7)

The Austin-class amphibious transport dock USS Cleveland (LPD 7) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to support Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 exercises. RIMPAC is a biennial, multi-national exercise designed to strengthen regional partnerships and improve multi-national interoperability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jon Dasbach/Released)

USS Cleveland (LPD 7)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) sails into San Diego Harbor on her way to her berth at Naval Station San Diego, while her Sailors "man the rails." Cleveland is part of the seven-ship Amphibious Task Force West (ATF-W), which returned home after supporting U.S. and coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Photographer's Mate Mahlon K. Miller.

USS Cleveland (LPD 7)

The amphibious transport dock USS Cleveland (LPD 7) sinks low into the water as its well deck floods prior to conducting amphibious operations in the Western Pacific Ocean. Cleveland ballasts itself prior to launching landing craft, utilities. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Marvin Harris

USS Cleveland (LPD 7)

Loaded with U.S. Marines and AH-1W "Super Cobra" attack helicopters, USS Cleveland (LPD 7) heads to sea for an unscheduled deployment in support of U.S. interests. The amphibious transport dock ship is part of the 7-ship Amphibious Task Force West (ATF-W). (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Gregory Badger)

USS Cleveland (LPD 7)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) pulls into San Diego Harbor on her way to her berth at Naval Station San Diego with her Sailors "manning the rails." Cleveland is part of the seven-ship Amphibious Task Force West (ATF-W), returning home after supporting U.S. and coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Photographer's Mate Mahlon K. Miller)

USS Cleveland (LPD 7)

At sea aboard USS Cleveland (LPD 7) Feb. 3, 2000 -- An aerial view of the amphibious transport dock ship off the coast of Port Hueneme, Calif., in support of search and recovery operations for Alaska Airlines Flight 261. (U.S. Navy Photo by Senior Chief Photographer’s Mate Terry Cosgrove)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) is assisted by tug boats as she arrives for a routine port visit to Crete. Mesa Verde is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) departs after a routine port visit at U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay. Mesa Verda is deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cayman Santoro/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) transits the Mediterranean Sea during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) (not pictured). Mesa Verde and Whidbey Island are deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Martin Cuaron/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

An SA-330J Puma helicopter assigned to the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5) conducts a vertical replenishment with the amphibious dock transport ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). Mesa Verde is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo, by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) is underway during a training exercise in the Atlantic Ocean. Mesa Verde is deploying to the Mediterranean Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Julio Rivera/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) transits the Suez Canal. Mesa Verde is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo, by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) transits near the coast. Mesa Verde and embarked Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) are part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) prepares to receive pallets of supplies during an underway replenishment. Mesa Verde and embarked Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) are part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) deploys as part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Rafael Martie/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) pulls into Naval Station Rota. Mesa Verde is the first amphibious transport dock ship to visit Rota. (U.S. Navy photo by Jan Hammond/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) is moored pier side for a scheduled port visit. Mesa Verde is deployed as part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26 MH-60S Knighthawks conduct anti-submarine operations near amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) during UNITAS Gold. This year marks the 50th iteration of UNITAS, a multinational exercise that provides opportunities for participating nations to increase their collective ability to counter illicit maritime activities that threaten regional stability. Participating countries are Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, U.S. and Uruguay. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brandon Shelander/Released)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26 MH-60S Knighthawks conduct anti-submarine operations near amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) during UNITAS Gold. This year marks the 50th iteration of UNITAS, a multinational exercise that provides opportunities for participating nations to increase their collective ability to counter illicit maritime activities that threaten regional stability. Participating countries and observers are Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, U.S. and Uruguay. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brandon Shelander/Released)