An Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV), assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, prepare to embark the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) during an equipment on-load for exercise Blue Chromite. Blue Chromite is an amphibious training exercise conducted with the 4th Marine Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. Germantown is part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (#PELARG14), commanded by Capt. Heidi Agle, and is conducting joint forces exercises in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda R. Gray/Released)