U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Thomas Pelham and Sgt. Timothy

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Thomas Pelham and Sgt. Timothy Hoff inspect the tracks of an assault amphibious vehicle with Philippine Marines 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. Pelham and Hoff are a mechanic and section leader, respectively, with AAV Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division and are natives of Reno, Nev., and Waldorf, Md., respectively. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Jacob Hancock)