PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 17, 2010) An AV-8B Harrier jet, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, prepares to land on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is participating in Valiant Shield 2010, a joint U.S. military exercise in the Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)
