MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (Nov. 19, 2021) U.S. Navy Capt. Kenneth Ward, commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), right, and Yoshihiko Fukuda, mayor of Iwakuni city, conduct a tour of America docked at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 19, 2021. Due to its geographic location and co-located airfield and harbor, MCAS Iwakuni is uniquely postured to provide advanced naval integration in support of regional security. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility 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. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Evan Jones)