SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 9, 2021) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), front, transits the South China Sea with the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) April 9, 2021. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) are conducting expeditionary strike force operations during their deployments to the 7th Fleet area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brandie Nuzzi)

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), front, transits the South China Sea recently with the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22)

U.S. Navy/MC2 Brandie Nuzzi

Admiral John C. Aquilino

Commander

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 8, 2021) – U.S. Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) clear out of the way of a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), in preparation for takeoff from the flight deck of the ship. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 15th MEU are 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick Crosley)

15th MEU, Makin Island ARG enhance bilateral partnership in Indo-Pacific

F-35B Lighting IIs from VMM-164, 15th MEU conducted joint training with fighter jets from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 8, 2021) The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) launches a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM). Littoral combat ships are fast, agile and networked surface combatants, optimized for operating in the near-shore environments. With mission packages allowing for tailored capabilities to meet specific mission needs and unique physical characteristics, LCS provides operational flexibility to combatant commanders. (U.S. Navy screen shot by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam Butler/Released)

LCS conducts Rolling Airframe Missile shoot during Live-Fire Exercise

The successful launch by USS Charleston (LCS 18) was conducted to increase surface force readiness.

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 9, 2021) The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group transits in formation with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group in the South China Sea April 9, 2021. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) are conducting expeditionary strike force operations during their deployments to the 7th Fleet area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Terence Deleon Guerrero)

Theodore Roosevelt CSG, Makin Island ARG join forces in South China Sea

Ships and aircraft from both strike groups participated in the Expeditionary Strike Force operations.

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 7, 2021) Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) with embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 107 seized an estimated 1,575 kilograms of suspected cocaine, April 7. While operating in U.S. Third Fleet, Freedom intercepted a high-speed vessel suspected of trafficking contraband. (U.S. Navy photo by U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 107)

Coast Guard, Navy seize illicit drugs in U.S. 3rd Fleet waters

USS Freedom, with embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 107, conducted the seizure off the coast of Mexico.

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 9, 2021) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Apprentice Jessica Harlan, assigned to the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), receives the second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine on Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY). Medical personnel and strategic forces were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Ronald Reagan returned to Yokosuka in November 2020 following a six-month deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Quinton A. Lee)

More than 14,000 7th Fleet Sailors vaccinated

Medical personnel began administering the COVID-19 vaccination to forward-deployed service members in January.

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 7, 2021) Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fly above the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) April 7, 2021. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dartañon D. De La Garza)

Theodore Roosevelt CSG, Royal Malaysian Air Force conduct bilateral exercise

The exercise in the South China Sea focused on joint-air operations and unit integration.

7th Fleet destroyer transits Taiwan Strait

U.S. 7th Fleet

USS John S. McCain conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit in accordance with international law, April 7.

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 5, 2021) An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115) lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific Region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Seaman Faith McCollum)

Theodore Roosevelt CSG returns to South China Sea

The strike group will conduct flight and anti-submarine operations, maritime strike exercises and other tactical training.

BAY OF BENGAL (April 5, 2021) Ships operate in the Bay of Bengal during exercise La Perouse 2021. La Perouse consists of naval assets from Australia, France, India, Japan and the United States. La Perouse is an exercise conducted during the annual French Navy midshipman deployment called Mission Jeanne d'Arc. The exercise is designed to conduct training, enhance cooperation in maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction operations, and air operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet employs 50-70 ships and submarines across the Western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (Photo courtesy of French Navy)

Multinational naval forces conduct exercise La Perouse

USS Somerset joined units from the Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for the exercise.

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 2, 2018) A member of a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment climbs down to a rigid-hull inflatable boat during an Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) boarding mission. The OMSI program is a secretary of defense program leveraging Department of Defense assets transiting the region to increase the Coast Guard’s maritime domain awareness, ultimately supporting its maritime law enforcement operations in Oceania. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jasen Morenogarcia/Released)

Coast Guard, Navy begin high seas OMSI patrol

USS Tulsa (LCS 16) and an embarked U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement team are supporting the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI).

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 4, 2021) Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) and Legend-class USCGC Kimball (WMSL-756) joined forces for joint training in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This evolution provides training and education to the Navy-Coast Guard all-domain naval force to maintain our nation’s advantage at sea. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Coast Guard)

USS Tulsa, USCGC Kimball conduct joint training

Littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) and cutter USCGC Kimball (WMSL-756) operated together in the eastern Pacific.

CNO NAVPLAN January 2021
Advantage at Sea: Prevailing with Integrated All-Domain Naval Power
U.S. Navy COVID-19 Updates
Signature Behaviors of the 21st Century Sailor