160129-N-RM689-048 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 29, 2016)- Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) operate an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) in the waters near amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48). Ashland is assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is en route to participate in Cobra Gold, a Thai-U.S. co-sponsored multinational joint exercise designed to advance regional security by exercising a robust multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kelsey L. Adams/Released)