160312-N-RM689-093 EAST SEA (March 12, 2016)- Amphibious assault vehicles (AAV), attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), drive in the waters near Ashland during the amphibious capabilities exercise of Ssang Yong 16 (SY 16). Ashland is assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group and is participating in SY 16, a biennial combined amphibious exercise conducted by forward-deployed U.S. forces with the Republic of Korea navy and Marine Corps, Australian army and Royal New Zealand army forces in order to strengthen our interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations-from disaster relief to complex expeditionary operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kelsey L. Adams/Released)