National Archives at College Park - Still Pictures

Battle Smoke Clouds the "Rising Sun"

Navy and Marine mess management specialists aboard the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA 2) make cookies in preparation for the arrival of evacuees from the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia. The SAIPAN is on station off the coast of Liberia FOR Operation Sharp Edge

[Assignment: 48-DPA-SOI_K_Saipan_6-5-07] Pacific Islands Tour: Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne [and aides] to Saipan Island, of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands [48-DPA-SOI_K_Saipan_6-5-07__DI11034.JPG]

A plane director on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) signals to the pilot of an AV-88 Harrier aircraft attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (HMM-261) during a rehearsal for Operation Sharp Edge. The SAIPAN is on station off the coast of Liberia

Two Indian Marine Observers on Hill Overlooking Garapan Emulate the Silent Watchfulness of their Forefathers while Manning their Observation Post

Two LCM-8 mechanized landing craft move toward the open well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA 2) during Operation Sharp Edge. Marines embarked aboard the SAIPAN are being sent to the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia, to augment security and evacuate U.S. and foreign nationals from the fighting between government and rebel forces

In Repair Shop 9 (R-9), grinding parts down smooth and clean help preserve the integrity of a ship

[Assignment: 48-DPA-SOI_K_Saipan_6-5-07] Pacific Islands Tour: Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne [and aides] to Saipan Island, of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands [48-DPA-SOI_K_Saipan_6-5-07__DI10685.JPG]

A sailor monitors the pressure gauges on one of the boilers aboard the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA-2). The SAIPAN steamed at flank speed for a week to be on station off the coast of Liberia for Operation Sharp Edge

LT. GEN. Peter T. Kempf, right, commander, 12th Air Force, tours the bridge of the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) with the ship's commanding officer during the joint services exercise Solid Shield '89

Though costing more than the traditional building method, the savings outweigh the cost, as the house is better protected from water and wind damage.

An HH-46D Sea Knight from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 6 (HC-6) takes off with a pallet of supplies during an underway replenishment operation aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71). The fleet oiler USNS KANAWHA (T-AO-196) and the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) are in the background. The ROOSEVELT Battle Group is assisting in enforcement of the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina during Operation Deny Flight