TF Ashland conducts cross-deck ops with RAN in South China Sea

A U.S. Navy Sailor, assigned to Task Force Ashland, I Marine Expeditionary Force, guides a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) MH-60R Sea Hawk, attached to RAN Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156), as it prepares to land on the flight deck of Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) during a cross-deck subject matter expert exchange as part of a multilateral exercise alongside RAN and Canadian Armed Forces in the South China Sea April 14, 2026. 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian Knowles)