171102-N-UX013-041 OKINAWA, Japan (Nov. 2, 2017)Marines assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, watch as Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1651, assigned to Naval Beach Unit 7, departs from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) during exercise Blue Chromite. The annual 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)