PHILIPPINE SEA (Jan. 28, 2021) A Sailor embarked aboard the dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) waves a signal as U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepare to return from a boat raid rehearsal in the Philippine Sea on Jan. 28, 2021. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Expeditionary Strike Group in the 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. Danny Gonzalez)