Family and friends of the crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) prepare to board from a landing craft unit for the 2008 Tiger Cruise.

SASEBO, Japan (Aug. 07, 2008) Family and friends of the crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) prepare to board from a landing craft unit for the 2008 Tiger Cruise. Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew A. Ebarb) File# 080807-N-9418A-008