EAST CHINA SEA (April 28, 2020) A Marine with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), climbs down a cargo net during a tactical debarkation rehearsal from amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). The exercise served as a proof of concept for the Blue-Green team to demonstrate proficiency in a proven, reliable method of amphibious debarkation. The ability to rapidly debark from an amphibious assault ship to surface connectors provides the 31st MEU a reliable way to move forces ashore in support of amphibious operations. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Audrey M. C. Rampton)