The ceremonial color guard detail, assigned to amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), prepares to parade the colors during America’s commissioning ceremony. America is the first ship of its class and the fourth to bear the name. She replaces the Tarawa-class of amphibious assault ships as the next generation “big-deck” 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 1st Class Michael McNabb/Released)