A CH-53E Sea Stallion, assigned to the “Warhorses” of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465, prepares to land aboard future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during flight operations. America is the first ship of its class, replacing the Tarawa-class of amphibious assault ships. As the next generation “big-deck” amphibious assault ship, America is optimized for aviation, capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. The ship is scheduled to be ceremoniously commissioned Oct. 11 in San Francisco. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Huey D. Younger Jr./Released)