PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 20, 2021) Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class Gabriel Lorico, left, from Sacramento, Calif., and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class Alapati Tautai, from Nu'uuli, American Samoa, fire a 50-cal machine gun during a live-fire gunnery training exercise aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). New Orleans, part of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelby Sanders)

Sailors aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) fire a .50 caliber machine gun during a live-fire gunnery training exercise while operating in the Philippine Sea.

U.S. Navy/MC2 Kelby Sanders

Admiral John C. Aquilino

Commander

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 22, 2021) Lt. Jeffrey Alcantara, from Los Angeles, Ca., the anti-terrorism officer assigned to the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52), stands Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) officer watch in the ship’s combat information center during bi-lateral exercise Resilient Shield 2021. Resilient Shield is an annual computer-based Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint (FST-J) exercise focused on BMD, designed to test U.S. Naval tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) against potential regional threats while ensuring Japanese and U.S. forces are well-rehearsed in executing those TTPs in the 7th Fleet area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet employs 50 to 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Ens. Emilio Mackie)

U.S. forces, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force participate in Resilient Shield 2021

More than 77 Japan and U.S. commands are participating in the annual computer-based exercise.

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 19, 2021) Capt. P. Scott Miller, left, commanding officer of Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), receives the COVID-19 vaccine from Hospital Corpsman 3rd class Ang Li, a native of Newport, Ore., aboard the ship. Vinson is currently pierside in its homeport of San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christian M. Huntington/Released)

USS Carl Vinson Sailors receive COVID-19 vaccine

The aircraft carrier administered over 2,900 doses in the largest west coast shipboard distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to date.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 19, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Towada-class replenishment ship JS Hamana (AOE 424) and French Floreal-class light frigate FNS Prairial (F731). (Photo courtesy of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)

USS Curtis Wilbur conducts trilateral replenishment-at-sea with Japan, France

The RAS highlighted the interoperability between the U.S. Navy, French Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

OKINAWA, Japan (Feb. 14, 2021) Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Javier Flores administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Retail Specialist Seaman Jordan Davis aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). New Orleans, part of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelby Sanders)

Amphibious Squadron 11 ships take the fight to COVID-19

In a critical move for readiness, resiliency and safety, ships of PHIBRON 11 recently received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Okinawa.

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 15, 2021) Outgoing Commanding Officer Capt. Craig Sicola, from Dallas, and newly appointed Commanding Officer Capt. Tim Waits, from Anniston, Alabama, exchange salutes during a change of command ceremony held in the admiral’s cabin aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy and, as 7th Fleet command ship, actively works to foster relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific Region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matt Hall)

Waits takes command of 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge

Capt. Timothy Waits relieved Capt. Craig Sicola as commanding officer in a small, socially distanced ceremony aboard the ship in Yokosuka, Japan.

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 17, 2021) The guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) conducts routine underway operations. Russell is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Wade Costin)

7th Fleet destroyer conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea

USS Russell (DDG 59) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the vicinity of the Spratly Islands.

U.S. Navy Issues Updated COVID-19 Guidance

U.S. Navy

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 8, 2021) Adm. John Aquilino, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks with Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), about the Navy's intolerance to extremist and/or supremacist ideologies. These discussions are part of the Secretary of Defense directed Department-wide stand down to address and understand the scope of extremism within the military. Vinson is currently underway conducting routine maritime operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Mason Congleton/Released)

Pacific Fleet commander visits San Diego for discussion on extremism

Adm. John Aquilino and Fleet Master Chief James Honea conducted candid discussions with Sailors.

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