EAST CHINA SEA

EAST CHINA SEA (May 20, 2025) An F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, taxis on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) while conducting flight operations in the East China Sea, May 20. The America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Melseth) Share

WELLINGTON, New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (May 19, 2025) Sailors assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet Band embarked aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), perform at the local Wellington Hospital during a scheduled port visit in Wellington, New Zealand, May 20, 2025. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy Photo by Musician 3rd Class Christiena Taralson) Share

WELLINGTON, New Zealand

250519-N-WM182-2007 WELLINGTON, New Zealand (May 19, 2023) U.S. Navy 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Fred Kacher meets with New Zealand Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies at the Defence House in Wellington, New Zealand, May 19, 2025. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caitlin Flynn) Share

WELLINGTON, New Zealand

250519-N-WM182-1020 WELLINGTON, New Zealand (May 19, 2025) U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Fred Kacher (right) and Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Engagements Capt. Jennifer Barnes meet with U.S. Embassy New Zealand Chargé d'affaires Mr. David Gehrenbeck (left) aboard the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) during a scheduled port visit in Wellington, May 19, 2025. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caitlin Flynn) Share

WELLINGTON, New Zealand

250517-N-PH222-1007 WELLINGTON, New Zealand (May 17, 2025) Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, greets Rear Adm. Mat Williams, vice chief of New Zealand Defence Force, prior to a key leader engagement aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) in Wellington, New Zealand during a scheduled port visit, May 17, 2025. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBORHICKAM, HAWAII

The PACAF and PACFLT Engineer Theater Posture Summit, held April 7-11, marked a significant step in advancing integrated engineer operations to ensure a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific and strengthened joint engineering posture in the theater. The summit enabled the first formal integration of U.S. Air Force Engineers and U.S. Navy Seabees leadership in a focused forum aimed at synchronizing infrastructure planning, strengthening readiness, and enhancing joint interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jared Harral) Share

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBORHICKAM

Lt Col Craig Poulin, assigned to PACAF civil engineering planning and integration branch, and Lt Mark Bush, an engineer with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific G-4, discuss plans during a tabletop exercise at the U.S. Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Pacific Fleet Engineer Theater Posture Summit at Joint-Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawai'i. Jointly hosted by PACAF Civil Engineers and PACFLT Seabees, the summit brought together more than 80 engineers stationed across the world to exchange ideas, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jared Harral) Share

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBORHICKAM, Hawaii

Participants of the PACAF/PACFLT Engineer Theater Posture Summit at Joint-Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawai'I, discuss plans during a tabletop exercise. Jointly hosted by PACAF Civil Engineers and PACFLT Seabees, the summit brought together more than 80 engineers stationed across the world to exchange ideas, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jared Harral) Share

SULU SEA

The Legend-class USCGC Stratton (WMSL 752), front, sails with the Philippine Coast Guard Vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) in the Sulu Sea, May 20, 2025. Stratton is deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. The U.S. Coast Guard has operated in the Indo-Pacific for more than 150 years, and the service is increasing efforts through targeted bilateral patrols with our national security cutters, fast response cutters, and other activities conducted in support of maritime missions to enhance our regional partnerships. (Courtesy photo) Share

SULU SEA

The Legend-class USCGC Stratton (WMSL 752), middle, sails with Philippine Coast Guard Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), top, in the Sulu Sea, May 20, 2025. Stratton is deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. The U.S. Coast Guard has operated in the Indo-Pacific for more than 150 years, and the service is increasing efforts through targeted bilateral patrols with our national security cutters, fast response cutters, and other activities conducted in support of maritime missions to enhance our regional partnerships. (Courtesy photo) Share

SULU SEA

The Philippine Navy’s Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), front left, the Legend-class USCGC Stratton (WMSL 752), middle, and Philippine Coast Guard Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) sail together in the Sulu Sea, May 20, 2025. Stratton is deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. The U.S. Coast Guard has operated in the Indo-Pacific for more than 150 years, and the service is increasing efforts through targeted bilateral patrols with our national security cutters, fast response cutters, and other activities conducted in support of maritime missions to enhance our regional partnerships. (Courtesy photo) Share

Langkawi, Malaysia

Senior Chief Aviation Electrician's Mate Richard Tretsven, left, and Aviation Electrician's Mate Second Class Marcus Cox pose for a photo in front of an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 with an attendee at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 in Langkawi, Malaysia, May 20, 2025. LIMA 25 is a biennial event that brings together industry stakeholders and government and military leaders from more than a dozen nations for a five-day event dedicated to the maritime and aerospace sectors for defense, civil and commercial applications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexzandra Gracey) Share