SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 29, 2007) - Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) transit U.S./Republic of Korean Marines and equipment on the Korean shores in support of Foal Eagle 2007. Foal Eagle is an annually scheduled exercise involving forces from the U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to improve combat readiness through interoperability. Tortuga and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESXARG) is the Navy's only forward deployed multi-purpose amphibious assault ship and is the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) operating from Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brandon Myrick
