PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 3, 2022) Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) conduct a vertical replenishment with an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, as part of joint exercise Noble Fusion. Noble Fusion demonstrates that Navy and Marine Corps forward-deployed stand-in naval expeditionary forces can rapidly aggregate Marine Expeditionary Unit/Amphibious Ready Group teams at sea, along with a carrier strike group, as well as other joint force elements and allies, in order to conduct lethal sea-denial operations, seize key maritime terrain, guarantee freedom of movement, and create advantage for U.S., partner and allied forces. Naval Expeditionary forces conduct training throughout the year, in the Indo-Pacific, to maintain readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Doan)