170726-N-HE318-254 MUTSU BAY, Japan (July 26, 2017) Mineman 1st Class Zachary Abel deploys a AN/SLQ-48 Mine Neutralization Vehicle during the 2JA 2017 Mine Countermeasures Exercise. The annual bilateral exercise held between the U.S. Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is designed to strengthen interoperability and increase proficiencies in mine countermeasure operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William McCann/Released)