USS Makin Island Conducts Vertical Replenishment Exercise

U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnancemen 3rd Class Kiomasa Kaminanga and U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnancemen 3rd Class Damien Heard, both assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), conduct a vertical replenishment exercise with an MH-60S Sea Hawk, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, on the flight deck, August 18, 2026. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit are currently underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations to enhance their combined Navy-Marine Corps readiness and lethality. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Tomas Zuelke)