PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 9, 2020) Lt. Col. Mark Woodard,

PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 9, 2020) Lt. Col. Mark Woodard, commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Col. Satoru Fuwa, a staff officer with 1st Helicopter Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Marines with the 31st MEU, and soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, listen to the mission commander during a brief on an upcoming simulated mission aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kevan Dunlop)