A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier hovers over the deck of the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) as the ship operates off the coast of Camp Pendleton, Calif., on June 20, 1997, during Exercise Kernel Blitz 97. Kernel Blitz 97 is a major amphibious exercise taking place in Southern California and waters offshore. More than 12,000 sailors, Marines, soldiers, guardsmen and airmen are involved in the exercise which is designed to test the Navy-Marine Corps team's ability to project combat power ashore. The Harrier is deployed from Marine Attack Squadron 214, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.