210813-N-IO312-1004

Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), forward-deployed on the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), disembark a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from the 31st MEU, also forward-deployed on America, during a fire support coordination exercise. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the 31st MEU, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.