USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Exercise Iron Fist Group Sail

250228-N-TW227-1569 PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 28, 2025) The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, USS America (LHA 6), center, steams in formation with the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), second from left, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003), second from right, and two JMSDF landing craft during Exercise Iron Fist in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 28. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S, Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenneth Melseth)