31st MEU conducts fast rope exercise

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 18, 2020) - Lance Cpl. Thomas Pumphrey, from Ellamore, West Virginia, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, performs a fast rope exercise off the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.