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A landing craft, air cushion (LCAC), assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, currently embarked with amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), approaches Hatyao beach during exercise Cobra Gold 2023, March 3, 2023 in Hatyao,Thailand. Exercise Cobra Gold 2023, in its 42nd iteration, is one of the largest multilateral theater security cooperation exercises in the Indo-Pacific and reflects the U.S. commitment to allies and partners, providing a continuous and reliable platform to train, prepare, and enhance regional interoperability. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of Makin Island and amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kendra Helmbrecht)