260425-N-DC740-1099

U.S. Navy Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) fires a Mark 38 25mm machine gun system at a remotely-operated target controlled by Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) during a gunnery exercise as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 in the South China Sea, April 25, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John B. Hetherington)