PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 5, 2022) U.S. Marines with Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), await the landing of a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, aboard the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) following a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) during operation Noble Fusion in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 5, 2022. VBSS training reinforces the Marine Corps' presence within ocean waters by having a team at the ready to act in a moment's notice. 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, joint forces and allies in order to conduct lethal sea-denial operations, seize key maritime terrain, guarantee freedom of movement, and create advantage for US, partner and allied forces. Naval Expeditionary forces conduct training throughout the year, in the Indo-Pacific, to maintain readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cesar Ronaldo Alarcon)