EAST CHINA SEA (March 9, 2024) Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) personnel exit a CH-47 Chinook helicopter on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) as part of Exercise Iron Fist while underway in the East China Sea, March 9 2024. 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 JGSDF, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sade Anita Wallace)