LCAC On Beach During RIMPAC 2012

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 28, 2012) U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) departs the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and deploys U.S. Marines and equipment to the beach during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. RIMPAC 2012 is the world's largest international maritime exercise, including twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel, and provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric T. Crosby/Released) 120728-N-SS993-002