Landing craft air cushion 21, also known as an LCAC, from Detachment Western Pacific Assault Craft Unit 5, enters the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) while in port in Yokosuka, Japan, on June 14, 2009. U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are boarding the Essex in preparation to deploy for Talisman Sabre 2009, which is a biennial, joint, combined exercise sponsored by U.S. Pacific Command and the Australian Defense Force that focuses on the planning and execution of contingency response operations. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Greg Johnson, U.S. Navy. (Released)