211027-N-NJ919-1053

SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 27, 2021) Capt. Ken Ward, commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), speaks to sailors assigned to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) during a tour of the ship. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Walter Estrada)