A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) prepares to enter the well deck of Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) for on-load of M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks.

SEA OF JAPAN (Apr. 04, 2014) A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) prepares to enter the well deck of Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) for on-load of M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks. Ashland is assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group Seven and is participating in Exercise Ssang Yong, an annual combined exercise conducted by U.S. Navy and Marine forces with the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Raymond D. Diaz III) File# 140403-N-BB269-289