180721-N-LH273-0093 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 21, 2018) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) conducts a vertical replenishment with the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) during a scheduled deployment of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Brock/Released)