A U.S. Marine assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) waits in an amphibious assault vehicle in the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) in the Philippine Sea Dec. 11, 2011. New Orleans and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th MEU were operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group.