U.S. Pacific Fleet > Photo Gallery

U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) arrives at Shimoda, Japan for the 87th annual Black Ship Festival, May 14, 2026. The festival commemorates the 1854 arrival of Commodore Matthew C. Perry and his “black ships” to Shimoda, and the subsequent signing of the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Peace and Amity marking the start of diplomacy and trade between both countries. Howard is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Taylor DiMartino)

SHIMODA, Japan

A local “black ship”-themed scenic tour boat transits as U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83), right, arrives at Shimoda, Japan for the 87th annual Black Ship Festival, May 14, 2026. The festival commemorates the 1854 arrival of Commodore Matthew C. Perry and his “black ships” to Shimoda, and the subsequent signing of the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Peace and Amity marking the start of diplomacy and trade between both countries. Howard is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Taylor DiMartino)

INDIAN OCEAN

U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Neal Smith, assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), directs a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), on the ship’s flight deck, May 6, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th MEU in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dustin Drake)

ANDAMAN SEA

U.S. Navy Sailors, assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), prepare to move a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), on the ship’s flight deck, May 9, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th MEU in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dustin Drake)

PACIFIC OCEAN

Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) fires a Mark 38 25mm machine gun during a live-fire exercise, May 5, 2026. Essex is currently underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Samuel B. Park)

SAN DIEGO BAY

U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) prepare to pull into port as the ship transits San Diego Bay, May 5, 2026. Essex is currently underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Russell R. Rhodes Jr.)

INDIAN OCEAN

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Britnee Perea, a utilities chief with Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sights in a modified M4 carbine as part of counter-small unmanned aerial systems training aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Indian Ocean, May 14, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Trent A. Henry)

INDIAN OCEAN

A U.S. Navy MH-60 Sea Hawk, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, flies between Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) and Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3) during a replenishment-at-sea, May 11, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Aiden Williamson)

SAN DIEGO BAY

Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) sails under the Coronado Bridge as the ship transits the San Diego Bay, May 5, 2026. Essex is currently underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Russell R. Rhodes Jr.)

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