180205-N-GR847-017 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 5, 2018) Sailors assigned to the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) conduct small boat operations as part of the annual exercise Iron Fist 2018. Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral amphibious training exercise designed to improve the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force’s ability to plan, communicate and conduct combined amphibious operations at the platoon, company and battalion levels. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Reymundo A. Villegas III/Released)