OKINAWA, Japan (Nov. 4, 2011) Landing craft air cushion vehicles assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 transport equipment and vehicles of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) to White Beach Naval Facility. Essex offloaded elements of the 31st MEU after completing Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Essex is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting operations in the western Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Sade T. Lucas)