PACIFIC OCEAN (June 1, 2023) Chief Gunner's Mate Michael Montgomery fires a Mark 38 machine gun system during a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), June 1, 2023, in the Pacific Ocean. Makin Island is designed to field an integrated amphibious force that can support operational commanders around the globe with both strike and amphibious capabilities. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of amphibious assault ship Makin Island and amphibious transport docks USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), is underway conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Dominic Delahunt)