Blue Chromite is a U.S.-only exercise unique to Okinawa which strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps expeditionary, amphibious rapid-response capabilities required to act swiftly and effectively throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) departed Okinawa Nov. 4 after completing of a series of amphibious operations part of Exercise Blue Chromite 18.
The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) arrived in Okinawa Oct. 30 as part of a scheduled port visit to prepare for the joint U.S. exercise Blue Chromite. The port visit also serves as a disembarkation point for the two mariners who had been adrift in the Pacific Ocean for several months. The Ashland crew rescued Jennifer Appel, Natasha Fuiava, and Appel’s two dogs Zeus and Valentine Oct. 25 after they had been stranded at sea...
The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) departed from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, Oct. 20, after a 19-day port visit for training, shipboard assessments and certifications.
