SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 28, 2024) A landing craft, air cushion from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 transits the South China Sea during exercise Balikatan 24, April 27, 2024. Balikatan 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Diaz)