Caption:
Philippine Sea (Sept. 12, 2003) -- Amphibious Assault Vehicle's (AAV)
leave the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2)
during Amphibious Ready Group Exercises (ARGEX) off the coast of the
Republic of the Philippines. AAVs move from ship to shore,
capable of 8 to 10 knots in the water and over 45 mph on land carrying
either personnel or support equipment, in addition to having a
50-caliber machine gun and a grenade launcher for armament. The
semi-annual exercise provides familiarization training and prepares
both services to act as a cohesive unit. U.S. Navy photo by
Photographer's Mate Airman Nicholas Messina. (RELEASED)
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