EAST CHINA SEA (March 1, 2023) The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) landing ship tank JS Osumi (LST 4001), left, the minesweeper JS Hirashima (MSC 601), the U.S. Navy forward deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), JS Yakushima (MSC 602), and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) sail in formation as part of Exercise Iron Fist while underway in the East China Sea, March 1, 2023. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sade’ Anita Wallace)