Combat information center aboard

U.S. Navy Operations Specialist 3rd Class Eric Tan stands watch in the combat information center aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) while under way in the South China Sea March 12, 2010, during a detect-to-engage drill. Essex is participating in exercise Balikatan 2010, an annual, bilateral exercise designed to improve interoperability between the United States and the Philippines. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson, U.S. Navy/Released)