SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sept. 6, 2020) Force Reconnaissance Marines with Command Element, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) transit the ship during a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility 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 Ensign William Ash)