An MH-47 Chinook assigned to the Army 160th Special Operation Aviation Regiment (Airborne) departs the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during flight operations. America is the first ship of its class and the fourth to bear the name. It replaces the Tarawa-class of amphibious assault ship and is optimized for aviation and capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Huey D. Younger Jr./Released)