An air-cushioned landing craft approaches the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego during exercise Alligator Dagger off the coast of Djibouti, Sept. 4, 2017. An Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit team is deployed as a crisis response and contingency force prepared to conduct operations and partner nation training. Alligator Dagger is a dedicated, unilateral combat rehearsal led by Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, in which combined Navy and Marine Corps units of the America Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are to practice, rehearse and exercise integrated capabilities that are available to U.S. Central Command both afloat and ashore. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Laboy