WELLINGTON, New Zealand

250516-N-FA353-1026 WELLINGTON, New Zealand (May 16, 2025) U.S. Navy Capt. Nicholas DeLeo, right, commanding officer of the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), greets Mr. David Gehrenbeck, left, Chargé d’affaires, U.S. Embassy New Zealand, and Royal New Zealand Navy Capt. Quentin Randall, assistant chief of navy-strategy and engagement, during a welcome ceremony for Blue Ridge's arrival in Wellington, New Zealand during a scheduled port visit, May 16, 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 Belen Saldana) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Sailors prepare for flight operations on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, May 12, 2025. The Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Franklyn M. Guage) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

PHILIPPINE SEA (May 13, 2025) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) participate in a crash and salvage drill in the Philippine Sea, May 13. The Preble 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jamaal Liddell) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

A Sailor sweeps spaces as a part of the backup reaction force team during a simulated anti-terrorism drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) in the South China Sea, May 10, 2025. The Gridley, assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Meyer) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

A Sailor fires a shot line to the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205) during an underway replenishment on the fo'c'sle of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) in the South China Sea, May 6, 2025. Gridley, assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Meyer) Share

NAVAL BASE GUAM

NAVAL BASE GUAM (May 13, 2025) The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) transits Apra Harbor, Naval Base Guam, May 13, 2025. Assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, based at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam, Minnesota is one of five forward-deployed fast-attack submarines. Renowned for their unparalleled speed, endurance, stealth, and mobility, fast-attack submarines are the backbone of the Navy’s submarine force. Regarded as apex predators of the sea, Guam’s fast-attack submarines serve at the tip of the spear, helping to reaffirm the submarine force's forward-deployed presence in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. James Caliva) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis D. Wilbur (DDG 54) steams near the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, May 12, 2025. The Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chad K. Hughes) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

A Sailor directs an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, May 12, 2025. The Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Franklyn M. Guage) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 fast-rope out of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the “Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 onto the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, May 11, 2025. The Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Hannah Kantner) Share

At Sea

AT SEA (May, 8, 2025) - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), left, and the Sejong the Great-class destroyer ROKS Yulgok Yi-I (DDG-992), right, sail together during Maritime Counter Special Operations Exercise (MCSOFEX) May, 8, 2025. MCSOFEX is a high-profile exercise focused on readiness and shaping the maritime domain to achieve both U.S. and the Republic of Korea cooperation objectives. William P. Lawrence is deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Naval Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter 3rd Class Seth Evans) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

An MH-60S Sea Hawk, from Helicopter Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, takes off from the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) during flight operations in the South China Sea, May 9, 2025. The Curtis Wilbur, assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Mark Bergado) Share

DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory

DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (May 7, 2025) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) heave around a line during a sea-and-anchor evolution while getting underway from U.S. Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia, May 7. Ralph Johnson 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hannah Fry) Share