Capt. Tony Chavez, commanding officer of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), left center, and Capt. Andria Slough, executive officer of Makin Island, front right, give a tour of the flight deck for Vice Adm. Myung Soo Kim, commander, Republic of Korea (ROK) Fleet, center, during a key leader engagement aboard Makin Island for Operation Ssang Yong 2023, March 24 in South Korea. SY23 is a U.S./ROK joint landing drill to strengthen the alliance’s combat readiness, ensure tailored capabilities for defense, and improve interoperability to protect peace by strength. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of Makin Island and amphibious transport docks USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.