Lt. Cmdr. Kenji Sakaguchi, with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), and Lt. Michael Gerhart watch as a JMSDF SH-60K Sea Hawk helicopter lands on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during Exercise Keen Sword. Essex, commanded by Capt. Troy Hart, is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is participating in Exercise Keen Sword, a joint, bilateral exercise designed to strengthen Japan-U.S. military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam M. Bennett)
