A landing craft, air cushion departs the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) during the Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) in the South China Sea near Puerto Princesa, Philippines, on Oct. 20, 2009. The Harpers Ferry, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and the Marine Corps 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are participating in PHIBLEX, an annual bilateral amphibious landing training exercise between the United States and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.