160301-N-GG458-013 ARABIAN GULF (March 1, 2016) A Landing craft utlility (LCU), attached to 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) opens its forward ramp as it approaches the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24). The U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Kuwait Armed Forces are conducting Amphibious Landing Exercise 2016 (PHIBLEX 16), a bilateral amphibious and ground exercise, to enhance operational readiness and improve interoperability between U.S. and regional partner forces. Arlington is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stevie Tate/Released)