Culinary Specialists prepare garnishes for a reception aboard future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America is currently traveling through the U.S. Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility on her maiden transit, “America Visits the Americas." America is the first ship of its class, replacing the Tarawa-class of amphibious assault ships. As the next generation “big-deck” amphibious assault ship, America is optimized for aviation, capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. The ship is scheduled to be commissioned Oct. 11 in San Francisco. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lewis Hunsaker/Released)