Sailors cut a cake during a ceremony celebrating the Navy's 242nd birthday and Kearsarge's upcoming 24th birthday.

CARIBBEAN SEA (Oct. 13, 2017) Rear Adm. Jeff Hughes, left, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 2, Capt. Mae Pouget, senior medical officer and oldest Sailor assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), and Information Systems Technician Seaman Herbert Hammonds, Kearsarge's youngest Sailor, cut a cake during a ceremony celebrating the Navy's 242nd birthday and Kearsarge's upcoming 24th birthday. Kearsarge is assisting with relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The Department of Defense is supporting Federal Emergency Management Agency, the lead federal agency in helping those affected by Hurricane Maria to minimize suffering and is one component of the overall whole-of-government response effort. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dana D. Legg) File# 171013-N-MC499-136