Keywords: US Navy 080923-N-4010S-033 Aviation Boatswain Mate (Handler) Airman Cody Nickles stands at the ready position.jpg en EAST CHINA SEA Sept 23 2008 Aviation Boatswain Mate Handler Airman Cody Nickles from Truth or Consequences NM assigned to the forward deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex stands at the ready position in the event of an emergency on the ship's flight deck Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U S Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76 the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander U S Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ty Swartz/Released 2008-09-23 080923-N-4010S-033 Navy http //www navy mil/view_image asp id 64390 U S Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ty Swartz PD-USGov-Military-Navy Images from US Navy ship USS Essex stands at the ready position in the event of an emergency on the ship's flight deck Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U S Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76 the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander U S Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ty Swartz/Released Aviation Boatswain's Mates Handlers Aboard USS Essex LHD-2 |