MANILA BAY (Oct. 10, 2019) Japanese Soldiers from the

MANILA BAY (Oct. 10, 2019) Japanese Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade prepare for a training event aboard the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) during exercise KAMANDAG 3. The Germantown is participating in KAMANDAG 3, a Philippine-led, bilateral exercise with the U.S., designed to increase counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief capabilities through military exchanges that strengthen partnership and the ability to rapidly respond to crises throughout the Indo-Pacific region. KAMANDAG is an acronym for the Filipino phrase "Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat," which translates to "Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea," highlighting the partnership between the U.S. and Philippine militaries. (U.S. Navy photo by Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class Mauricio Melo)