OKINAWA, Japan (Aug. 28, 2020) Rifleman Lance Cpl. Jeffery Thaler, right, from Shepherd, Mich., assigned to Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), salutes the National Ensign as he embarks the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11 as part of the America Amphibious Ready 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 serves as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Taylor DiMartino)