Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Della Smith, a landing signal enlisted (LSE) aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), directs an Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

CARIBBEAN SEA (Jul. 17, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Della Smith, a landing signal enlisted (LSE) aboard the amphibious assault ship Pre-Commissioning Unit Makin Island (LHD 8), directs an Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to Joint Task Force Bravo to a landing aboard the ship. Makin Island departed Pascagoula, Miss., July 10 and is currently circumnavigating South America via the Strait of Magellan to its new homeport of San Diego. During its transit, the ship will make port visits in Brazil, Chile and Peru. Makin Island is the final amphibious assault ship built in the LHD-1 Wasp-class, but the first of the class built with Gas Turbine Engines and an electric drive. The ship is scheduled to be commissioned in October. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Webb) File# 090717-N-4846W-024