SAN DIEGO (Jan. 25, 2023) Capt. Aaron Taylor, commanding officer of amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), judges chili samples during a chili cook-off competition aboard the barge assigned to the ship, Jan. 25, 2023. Essex is dry docked in San Diego conducting a maintenance period to upgrade and refurbish many key onboard systems. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brett McMinoway)