170925-N-KW492-018 CARIBBEAN SEA (Sept. 25, 2017) Rear Adm. Jeff Hughes, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2, waves to Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) as he takes off from Kearsarge in an MH-60S Sea Hawk to travel to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Kearsarge is assisting with relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The Department of Defense is supporting FEMA, the lead federal agency, in helping those affected by Hurricane Maria to minimize suffering and is one component of the overall whole-of-government response effort. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryre Arciaga/Released)