171102-N-UX013-374 OKINAWA (Nov. 2, 2017) Landing Craft Utility 1651, assigned to Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7, enters the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), after completing an amphibious assault exercise with Marines, assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, during exercise Blue Chromite. The exercise is an annual exercise held between the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps 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)