Keywords: USS Germantown operations 141112-N-UD469-086.jpg en Cpl Wilfredo Pedrosa left from Clermont Fla assigned to the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion 2nd Marine Division shows a member of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force JSDF how to operate an Amphibious Assault Vehicle AAV in the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown LSD 42 for exercise Keen Sword Exercise Keen Sword is a bilateral field training exercise held biennially since 1986 The exercise is designed to increase the interoperability of U S Forces and the Japanese Self Defense Forces JSDF to effectively and mutually provide for the defense of Japan or respond to a regional crisis or contingency situation in the Asia-Pacific region Germantown is part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group PELARG14 commanded by Capt Heidi Agle and is conducting joint forces exercises in the U S 7th Fleet area of responsibility U S Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda R Gray/Released 2014-11-12 Petty Officer 2nd Class Amanda Gray https //www dvidshub net/image/1658840 141112-N-UD469-086 2014-11-15 02 44 PHILIPPINE SEA PD-USGov-Military-Navy USS Germantown LSD-42 Images from DoD uploaded by Fæ Amphibious Assault Vehicle |