KODIAK, Alaska - The amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) arrived in Kodiak, Alaska, Sept. 10 for a port visit.

Comstock is visiting Kodiak in conjunction with Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise (AECE) 2019.

While in port, Comstock Sailors and embarked Marines from Special Marine Air Ground Task Force Alaska will have the opportunity to participate in community outreach events including a building enhancement project at a local elementary school, and will facilitate in-port ship tours.

“This is our first visit to Kodiak,” said Cmdr. Kevin Culver, Comstock’s commanding officer. “Alaska is an extremely strategic location in the Indo-Pacific, and we are proud to represent the U.S. Navy in Kodiak prior to our training during AECE. My crew and our Marine Corps partners are very excited to experience the local culture here and engage with the public.”

AECE is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises in 2019 that prepares joint forces to respond to crises in the Indo-Pacific. AECE will specifically test joint expeditionary force logistical transfer capabilities in the Arctic environment, including wet logistics over the shore, expeditionary mine countermeasures, mobile diving and salvage and an offshore petroleum discharge system.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. U.S. 3rd Fleet works constantly with U.S. 7th Fleet to complement one another and provide commanders capable, ready assets across the spectrum of military operations in the Pacific.