PACIFIC OCEAN -- Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Lawrence Salalila, assigned to amphibious assault ship USS America, signals an AV-8B Harrier from Marine Attack Squadron 311 from the ship’s flight deck. America is currently conducting maritime training operations off the coast of California. The ship is the first of its class and is optimized for Marine Corps aviation. (U.S. Navy photo by Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman John Kelvin Chavez/Released)