An AV-8B Harrier prepares to launch from the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) during flight operations.

Persian Gulf (Sep. 13, 2006) An AV-8B Harrier prepares to launch from the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) during flight operations. Iwo Jima recently deployed from her homeport of Norfolk, Va., and began a regularly scheduled six-month deployment to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) areas of responsibility (AOR) in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher L. Clark File# 060913-N-4856C-005