PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 15, 2022) Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) direct members of the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB) as they return in Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) from the Philippine Sea during Keen Sword 23. Keen Sword is a joint, bilateral, biennial field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability and strengthen the ironclad Japan-U.S. alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Desmond Parks)