PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 26, 2020) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) launch from the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Archangels" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 Detachment 6 to conduct a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Vincent E. Zline)