Capt. Marc McClelland (left), public affairs officer for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to a group of Russian marines and sailors with the translation assistance of Petty Officer 1st Class Laura Martin (second from left) while onboard a landing craft near Vladivostok, Russia, on Aug. 14, 1996, during Exercise Cooperation From the Sea '96. U.S. Navy and Marine Corps units of the 7th Fleet and Russian Federation Navy units are conducting the exercise near the port city of Vladivostok. The purpose of the exercise is to improve interoperability with Russian military forces in conducting disaster relief and humanitarian missions. Personnel exchanges and training will promote cooperation and understanding between the U.S. and Russian Federation Naval Forces.