Caption:

Onboard USS ESSEX (LHD 2) -- An AV-8B Harrier lands on the flight deck of USS Essex during Landing Qualifications (DLQ).  The AV-8B Harries are from   VMA 311 Tomcats, which are part of the Aviation Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.      This is the first time Essex has operated with AV-8B Harriers since Essex became part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces in mid-summer of 2000.  Official US Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Gary B. Granger (RELEASED)

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