A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) arrives in the well deck of amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) to onload Marines and their equipment during a nighttime beach assault.

SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (Jun. 20, 2007) A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) arrives in the well deck of amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) to onload Marines and their equipment during a nighttime beach assault. Talisman Saber 07 (TS07) is a biennial U.S. and Australian led Joint Task Force exercise designed to prepare both nations for crisis action planning and execution of contingency operations. TS07 maintains a high level of interoperability between both forces, demonstrating commitment to regional security and the U.S. and Australian military alliance. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ty Swartz File# 070620-N-4010S-081