SOUTH CHINA SEA

240501-N-CV021-1043 SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 1, 2024) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) prepare to conduct a replenishment-at-sea with the Henry J. Kaiser-Class Underway Replenishment Oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194) in the South China Sea, May 1. Howard is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. Commander Task Force (CTF 73), in coordination with Military Sealift Command Far East (MSC FE), refuels and resupplies deployed naval forces along with regional allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexandria Esteban) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 29, 2024) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the “Flying Checkmates” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211, approaches to land on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), April 29, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine, is underway conducting routine operations 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 Adina Phebus) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 29, 2024) A C-2A Greyhound, assigned to the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40, lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), April 29, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine, is underway conducting routine operations 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 Samuel Vazquez) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 29, 2024) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the “Blue Blasters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34, flies over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), April 29, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine, is underway conducting routine operations 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 Adina Phebus) Share

LAEM CHABANG

LAEM CHABANG, Thailand (April 26, 2024) U.S. Navy Capt. Brian Schrum, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), gives a tour of the ship’s flight deck and aircraft to Royal Thai Navy officers, April 26, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt is in Thailand for a scheduled port visit, supporting operational readiness and regional alliances. Theodore Roosevelt is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine and is currently conducting routine operations in U.S. 7th Fleet in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chris Williamson) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

A landing craft, air cushion, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, approaches the well deck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) during Exercise Balikatan 24, while underway in the South China Sea, Apr. 27, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Diaz) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

A landing craft, air cushion, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, transits the South China Sea during Exercise Balikatan 24, Apr. 27, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Diaz) Share

LAEM CHABANG

LAEM CHABANG, Thailand (April 28, 2024) U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate Seaman Elijah Bushy, from Brunswick, Ga., right, and U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Johnathan Divietro, from Elkhart, Ind., stand watch as the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) prepares to depart Laem Chabang, Thailand, April 28, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt was in Thailand for a scheduled port visit, supporting operational readiness and regional alliances. Theodore Roosevelt is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine and is currently conducting routine operations in U.S. 7th Fleet in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Aaron Haro Gonzalez) Share

CHANGWON, Republic of Korea

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, poses for a photo with senior leadership at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Naval Academy in Changwon, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of ROK Navy) Share

CHANGWON, Republic of Korea

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, signs the guest book at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Naval Academy in Changwon, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of ROK Navy) Share

CHANGWON, Republic of Korea

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, and Vice Adm. Kim Dong Lae, deputy superintendent of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Naval Academy, center right, have lunch with midshipmen at the ROK Naval Academy in Changwon, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler spoke about the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of ROK Navy) Share

CHANGWON, Republic of Korea

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, poses for a photo with senior leadership and midshipmen at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Naval Academy in Changwon, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of ROK Navy) Share