171030-N-UX013-282 OKINAWA, Japan (Oct. 31, 2017) Marines assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, embark the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) before the ship�s departure from Okinawa, Japan, to begin excercise Blue Chromite. The exercise between the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps is designed to strengthen interoperability and increase naval integration and proficiencies in amphibious warfare. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Clay/Released)