A standard missile leaves a trail of smoke off the Vandgrift's starboard side, on an intercept course with an incoming "hostile" drone. Nine U.S. Navy ships took part in missile exercise (MISSILEX) 02-1, an anti-ship missile defense training evolution, as part of a Commander Task Force Seven Five (CTF 75) Multi-Sail battle group interoperability exercise. All participating ships are part of forward deployed Naval Forces based in Yokosuka and Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Matthew C. Ruble.