SOUTH CHINA SEA

An MH-60R Seahawk attached to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, embarked on Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), deploys flares during a strike coordination and reconnaissance exercise while operating in the South China Sea, Aug. 12, 2026. George Washington, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, is the U.S. Navy’s premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Anthony Vilardi) Share

DILI, Timor Leste

Leadership from Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73, Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) and Pacific Partnership 2026 (PP26) render honors for the national anthem at the PP26 Timor-Leste mission stop opening ceremony in Dili, Timor-Leste, Aug. 13, 2026. Now in its 22nd iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the region. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Justin E. Yarborough) Share

DILI, Timor Leste

Members of the Pacific Partnership Band perform a halftime show during a Pacific Partnership-Timor-Leste soccer match at the Pacific Partnership 2026 Timor-Leste mission stop opening ceremony in Dili, Timor-Leste, Aug. 13, 2026. Now in its 22nd iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the region. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Justin E. Yarborough) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

For his final flight, Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander, Carrier Strike Group 5, prepares to launch in an F/A-18 Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while operating in the South China Sea, Aug. 11, 2026. George Washington, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Crowley) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander, Carrier Strike Group 5, conducts his last flight in an F/A-18 Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, while serving aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the South China Sea, Aug. 11, 2026. George Washington, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel Williamson) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Royal Australian Navy Anzac Class frigate HMAS Perth (FFH 157) sails alongside Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the South China Sea, Aug. 11, 2026. George Washington, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, is the U.S. Navy’s premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Anthony Vilardi) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Royal Australian Navy Anzac Class frigate HMAS Perth (FFH 157) sails alongside Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the South China Sea, Aug. 11, 2026. George Washington, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, is the U.S. Navy’s premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Anthony Vilardi) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Trevor Cayton, from Texas, assigned to engineering department, welds a frame in the machine shop aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the South China Sea, August 6, 2026. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicolas Quezada) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Marquis Tart, from Georgia, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141, applies pyro lubricant to an EA-18G Growler on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the South China Sea, Aug. 8, 2026. George Washington, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Crowley) Share

INDIAN OCEAN

U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Jessica Howard, left, from Georgia, braces Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Justice House, from Montana, while she gives hands signals to an H225 Super Puma helicopter as it prepares to land on the flight deck aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) during flight operations while underway in the Indian Ocean, Aug. 11, 2026. Mustin 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 Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Dimal) Share

DA NANG, Vietnam

Capt. Nicholas DeLeo, commanding officer of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), center, poses for a group photo with distinguished visitors on the flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Da Nang, Vietnam, Aug. 3, 2026. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Crowley) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

Friends and family members of Sailors, assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), watch an air show on the flight deck, Aug. 8, 2026. Theodore Roosevelt’s friends and family day cruise showcases carrier strike group capabilities and the professionalism of the crew. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Haro Gonzalez) Share