A wave of amphibious assault vehicles approach the heavily obstructed Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., during Exercise Kernel Blitz 97, on June 28, 1997. 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.