170818-N-JN784-243 FRESHWATER BEACH, Australia (Aug. 18, 2017) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) board Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1651 to return to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) after participating in certification exercise (CERTEX). Ashland is part of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHR ESG) which is participating in a CERTEX to increase joint capability to respond to a number of potential contingencies. CERTEX is conducted to evaluate the integration of all elements of the BHR ESG testing their combined ability to plan for and execute mission essential tasks. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Alexandra Seeley/Released)