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Crewmembers of a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ShinMaywa US-2 aircraft, assigned to Air Rescue Squadron 71 (ARS-71), Fleet Air Wing 31, secure their small boat to the stern gate of U.S. Navy Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) during a casualty evacuation exercise for Exercise Balikatan 2026 in the South China Sea, April 27, 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)