250808-M-MI274-1087

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tristan Courtney, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, deploys buoys during anti-submarine warfare training, in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 8, 2025. The Marines conducted the training utilizing buoys to detect underwater acoustics for ships and submarines in order to increase U.S. naval forces capabilities to detect and deter in the undersea domain. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Courtney is a native of Ohio. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alora Finigan)