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

Engineman 2nd Class Walid Ventayen, left, and Engineman 1st Class Michael Carantes, assigned to Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, replace an engine component in the main engine room while Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) is in port in Cebu, Philippines, as part of ship wartime repair and maintenance exercise (SWARMEX), 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)