U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Chardonnay Schwartz, center left, listens to Lt. Col. Matt Bride, center right, the commander of troops, both assigned to Task Force Ashland, I Marine Expeditionary Force, speak to the formation aboard Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) after Schwartz's meritorious promotion ceremony in Cebu, Visayas, Philippines, April 2, 2026. TF Ashland is a flexible, purpose-built force ready to integrate with allies and partners or respond to crisis, in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. Bride is a native of California and Schwartz is a native of New Jersey. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian Knowles)
U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to Task Force Ashland, I Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct a replenishment-at-sea aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) with Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO-202) in the South China Sea March 14, 2026. TF Ashland is a flexible, forward-deployed crisis response force led by the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Purpose-built to integrate with allies and partners, TF Ashland supports a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing immediate response capabilities for any contingency. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Kenneth Twaddell)
CEBU, Philippines– A domineering voice that can’t help but be heard slices through the humid air aboard Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48). The voice is powerful, clear, unwavering, and belongs to a Marine whose presence commands attention despite her small stature.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Chardonnay Schwartz moves with deliberate energy across the deck, her voice a constant driving force as she instructs Marines and demonstrates skills during her Marine Corps Martial Arts Program course. She is in her element: loud, leading from the front– as always– doing more than what’s expected as the ammunition chief of Task Force Ashland and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
As the Marines train,...
