A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier launches from the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) while underway in the Red Sea. Tarawa is in route to the Mediterranean Sea to participate in exercise ââ¬ÅBright Starââ¬Â, a multinational exercise held every two years in Egypt. Bright Star is the largest and most significant coalition military exercise conducted by U.S. Central Command. The exercise is an important part of U.S. Central Commandââ¬â¢s theater engagement strategy and is designed to improve readiness and interoperability and strengthen the military and professional relationships among U.S., Egyptian and participating forces. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Brandon A. Teeples
