U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Johan Placea discusses

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Johan Placea discusses the route for a planned assault amphibious vehicle operation with Philippine Marine Corps 1st Lt. Edmund Maestrecampo and U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jack Macharyas during an AAV subject matter expert exchange in Subic Bay, Philippines, Aug. 30, 2019. The U.S. Marine Corps has partnered with the Philippine Marine Corps for the last eight years to develop skill sets and policies to enable the Philippine Navy and Marine Corps to conduct amphibious operations. This SMEE was a milestone in these efforts, marking the first time that Philippine forces launched their AAVs from a Philippine Navy amphibious ship and transited from ship to shore. Lacea and Cpl. Macharyas are with AAV Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, and are natives of Springfield, Mo., and Fort Pierce, Fla., respectively. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Hancock)