171102-M-QH615-042 OKINAWA, Japan (Nov. 2, 2017) U.S. Marines assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment prep their gear aboard the USS Ashland (LSD 48) during exercise Blue Chromite. The exercise is a U.S. only exercise which strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps expeditionary, amphibious rapid-response capabilities based in Okinawa and the greater Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The Hawaii-based battalion is forward deployed to the Dock Landing Ship as part of the Unit Deployment Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Aaron S. Patterso/Releasedn)