151206-N-BD107-016 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 6, 2015) Capt. Brian J. Quin, commanding officer of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), speaks to Sailors, Marines and their families during a Tiger Cruise welcome aboard ceremony on the ship's flight deck. Essex is the flagship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is currently operating in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Liam Kennedy/Released)