USS Ashland Completes Ship Wartime Repair and Maintenance Exercise in the Philippines

A Philippine Navy contractor works with Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Chase Bohan, left, assigned to Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, and Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Wyatt Rimmer, assigned to Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), as they perform maintenance on valves as part of ship wartime repair and maintenance exercise (SWARMEX) in Cebu, Philippines, March 25, 2026. SWARMEX is designed to rehearse coordination and execution of ship damage repair from forward locations within the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening ties with the skilled workforce within allied and partner countries. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Maliq J. Martin)