U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Frank L. Ponds, at lectern, the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, speaks during a reception on the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in Peru Sept. 1, 2014. The America embarked on a mission to conduct training engagements with partner nations throughout the Americas before reporting to its new home port of San Diego. The America was set to be ceremoniously commissioned Oct. 11, 2014.