Steam through the South China Sea

From forward, Philippine navy ship BRP Dagupan City (LC 551), amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) and the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) steam through the South China Sea March 14, 2010, in formation during a photo exercise as a part of exercise Balikatan 2010. Balikatan 2010 is an annual, bilateral exercise designed to improve interoperability between the United States and the Philippines. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez, U.S. Navy/Released)