English: At sea aboard USS Juneau (LPD 10) Sep. 12, 2002 -- An Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is launched from the well deck of the Juneau and makes its way to the beach during Blue-Green Workups. This semi-annual joint exercise between the USS Essex (LHD 2) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 31st MEU helps blend the capabilities and techniques of the Navy/Marine Corps team into one cohesive force focusing on conducting amphibious operations in support of a wide range of contingencies, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, to full-scale combat operations. The Essex ARG is conducting the exercise in the vicinity of Okinawa, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman J.J. Hewitt. (RELEASED)