A landing signal enlisted directs a CH-46E helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 as it lifts off the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex. Essex and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in Sihanoukville for a port visit to give Sailors and Marines the opportunity to participate in friendship-building community relations events, medical and dental projects and professional exchanges. Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for Combined Task Force 76, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed amphibious force commander.