200129-M-LD713-111 EAST CHINA SEA (Jan. 29, 2020) Col. Robert Brodie, left, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), speaks with Vice Adm. William R. Merz, right, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, during a tour of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Jan. 29, 2020. Merz toured the America to learn about its capabilities and Navy-Marine Corps integration firsthand. 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/Released)