USS Ashland transits Surigao Strait

SURIGAO STRAIT (Feb. 17, 2026) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ethan Ruzich, an amphibious combat vehicle crewman assigned to Task Force Ashland, I Marine Expeditionary Force, provides security using an M240B machine gun as part of the small craft action team during the defense of the amphibious task force aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) while transiting through the Surigao Strait Feb. 17. TF Ashland is a flexible forward-deployed crisis response force led by the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Purpose-built to integrate with allies and partners, TF Ashland supports a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing immediate response capabilities for any contingency. Ruzich is a native of New Jersey. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian Knowles)