GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 10, 2011) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Mario Teasley directs a CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter to take off from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group are participating in Exercise Cobra Gold 2011, a U.S. and Thailand co-sponsored multi-national exercise designed to improve interoperability between participating nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran/Released)
