170712-N-UK248-0018 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 12, 2017) Midshipman 1st Class Joseph Adams, from Dower, Del., stands watch as the conning officer on the bridge of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). Adams, a student at Howard University, and other midshipmen 1st class are fulfilling a requirement to conduct a summer cruise on a large deck amphibious ship. America is embarked on its first operational deployment and is part of the America Amphibious Ready Group comprised of more than 1,800 Sailors and 2,600 Marines assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) and America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristina Young/Released)