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PACIFIC OCEAN (July 21, 2018) – Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Erick Smith, assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, rides in an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter during a vertical replenishment with Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during a regularly scheduled deployment of Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The Essex ARG/MEU team is a strong, flexible, responsive, and consistent force capable of maneuver warfare across all domains; it is equipped and scalable to respond to any crisis from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to contingency operations.