190807-N-OX029-1113 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 7. 2019) Cpl. Blade Montgomery, left, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Lance Cpl. Erik Tapia, from Santa Ana, California, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fire an M240B 7.62 mm machine gun during a defense of the amphibious task force drill aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). During the drill, the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st MEU team assumed a security posture to simulate traveling through potentially dangerous waters. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Benjamin F. Davella III/Released)