Sea of Japan (March 22, 2006) - An Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) leaves the beach to head towards the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Harpers Ferry, along with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) loaded Elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) at White Beach, Okinawa, as part of the Spring Patrol for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Brian P. Biller