The USS Essex, center, and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group steam in formation, Friday, May 23, 2008, in the Andaman Sea. The Essex Amphibious Group is standing by in international waters off the coast of Burma in support of Joint Task Force Caring Response, a humanitarian assistance operation developed in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. The USS Essex, will remain there for some days or weeks, but will not linger there for months waiting for permission to bring in aid.
