SURUGA-WAN SHIZUOKA, Japan (Sept. 17, 2022) U.S. Navy Sailors and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Marines place a training dummy on a stretcher aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) during a mass casualty evacuation drill in in Suruga-wan Shizuoka, Japan. The exercise was conducted in conjunction with Transport Exercise (TRANSPORTEX), a humanitarian aid & disaster relief exercise further enhancing interoperability between Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, the 31st MEU and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, enabling a combined rapid response force in the event of crisis or natural disaster. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready 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 Cpl. Cesar Ronaldo Alarcon)