170712-N-UX013-863 SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (July 12, 2017) Marines assigned to the 31st Marines Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) prepare to launch amphibious assault vehicles from the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) for a beach raid training exercise during Talisman Saber 17. Ashland is part of a combined U.S., Australia and New Zealand expeditionary strike group, which is undergoing a series of scenarios that will increase naval proficiencies in operating against blue-water adversarial threats and in its primary mission of launching Marine forces ashore in the littorals. Talisman Saber is a biennial U.S.-Australia bilateral exercise held off the coast of Australia meant to achieve interoperability and strengthen the U.S.-Australia alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Clay/Released)