PHILIPPINE SEA (Jan. 24, 2021) Marine snipers with Scout Sniper Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), provide over watch during a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) mission aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 24, 2021. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Expeditionary Strike Group 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. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Dominic Clay)