181005-N-XK398-1197 PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 05, 2018) Marines attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB) return to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) after conducting AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicle operations as part of a training exercise for KAMANDAG 2. KAMANDAG 2 is a military training exercise led by Philippines between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military, along with participants from the Japan Self-Defense Force featuring military-to-military exchanges through various training events, capabilities development training, and humanitarian and civic assistance projects. KAMANDAG is an acronym for the Filipino phrase “Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat,�? which translates to “Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea,�? highlighting the partnership between the Philippine and United States Militaries. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Mortensen/Released)