AT SEA – “The Marine Corps is our primary weapon system,” said Navy Commander Dan Duhan, the Commanding Officer of the USS Ashland (LSD 48).

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines boarded the Ashland Jan. 27, 2016, at White Beach Okinawa, Japan. The boarding of the Ashland signaled the beginning of the 31st MEU’s spring deployment and the integration of the Marine weapon into the Ashland’s arsenal.

With the Ashland is scheduled to arrive in Thailand February 5, the Marines were given over a week on the Ashland. During that time, the time the Marines and sailors had the opportunity to learn how the two sides are critical to completing one overall mission.

“The Navy and the Marines are a symbiotic thing where we assist one another to complete each other’s missions,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Nate Osuch, an operations specialist with the Ashland. “Essentially we have one goal and we need each other to complete it.”

The Marines are an amphibious force and the Ashland is just one of many ships that helps bring them to their objective, according to Navy Lt. Kyle Recker, the first lieutenant of the Ashland. The Marines have the capabilities to operate on their own, but the Navy gives them the advantage to operate from the sea more efficiently.

“The main purpose of the Ashland is to bring Marines to the fight,” said Recker, from Grand Rapids, Michigan. “The ship can transport hundreds of Marines alongside all of their equipment.”

Because the Marines can be transported alongside their equipment, it benefits them more than if they were to fly to their objective, according to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Darin Izzardbawks, from Pickford, Michigan, and the Boatswain of the Ashland.

“Bringing the Marines on board is great because we get to learn more about them and their gear,” said Osuch, from Hudson, New York. “We build a strong camaraderie and friendship with the Marines while on ship and I’ve learned that if the Marines have a successful mission then we have a successful mission.