SASEBO, Japan

SEA OF JAPAN (May 20, 2025) Naval Aircrewman - Helicopter 2nd Class Michael Russo and Naval Aircrewman - Helicopter 3rd Class Dylan Higginson, both assigned to the “Blackhawks” of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15, stream a MK 103 Mechanical Mine Sweeping System from an MH-53E Sea Dragon off the coast of southern Japan during Integrated Battle Problem 25.5, May 20, 2025. Exercises such as Integrated Battle Problem allow the Navy to demonstrate unmanned system operations in relevant experiment scenarios in order to meet service level objectives and operationalize unmanned systems and capabilities to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, which routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Naval Aircrewman - Helicopter Bradley Caldbeck) Share

SASEBO, Japan

SEA OF JAPAN (May 19, 2025) – Chief Naval Aircrewman - Helicopter Bradley Caldbeck and Naval Aircrewman - Helicopter 2nd Class Michael Russo, both assigned to the “Blackhawks” of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15, stream a MK 103 Mechanical Minesweeping System from an MH-53E Sea Dragon off the coast of southern Japan, during Integrated Battle Problem 25.5, May 19, 2025. Exercises such as Integrated Battle Problem allow the Navy to demonstrate unmanned system operations in relevant experiment scenarios in order to meet service level objectives and operationalize unmanned systems and capabilities to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, which routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Naval Aircrewman - Helicopter Bradley Caldbeck) Share

SASEBO, Japan

SASEBO, Japan (May 15, 2025) – Jeffery Wyatt, a member of Textron Systems, describes the capabilities of the Aerosonde MK 4.7 unmanned aerial system to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Yatsutaka Ebata, commander, Escort Flotilla 2, and Rear Adm. Tom Shultz, commander, Task Force (CTF) 76, during the Integrated Battle Problem 25.5 technology demonstration aboard the Lewis B. Puller-class Expeditionary Sea Base USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), at Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, May 15, 2025. Exercises, such as Integrated Battle Problem, allow the Navy to demonstrate unmanned system operations in relevant experiment scenarios in order to meet service level objectives and operationalize unmanned systems and capabilities to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, 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 W. Chase Stephens) Share

SASEBO, Japan

SASEBO, Japan (May 14, 2025) – U.S. Navy participants and observers from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force meet during the Integrated Battle Problem 25.5 pre-sail conference at the Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo headquarters building, in Sasebo, Japan, May 14, 2025. Exercises, such as Integrated Battle Problem, allow the Navy to demonstrate unmanned system operations in relevant experiment scenarios in order to meet service level objectives and operationalize unmanned systems and capabilities to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet,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 W. Chase Stephens) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 33 attached to Assault Craft Unit 5 embarks on the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) during Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training 25.3 while underway in the Pacific Ocean, May 30, 2025. QUART is a joint training exercise designed to develop and sustain essential amphibious readiness skills for effective operations in maritime environments while reinforcing the Navy-Marine Corps partnership. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Agostini) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

PHILIPPINE SEA (June 1, 2025) Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) transport an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 across the flight deck while conducting flight operations in the Philippine Sea, June 1. 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

SOUTH CHINA SEA

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) fires its Mark 45 5-inch gun during a live-fire exercise in the South China Sea, May 31, 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

Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Brian Kleven, right, from Seattle, and Aviation Safety Equipment Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Retnata Valdes from Houston, conduct maintenance on an F/A-18F Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 in the hangar bay of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, May 28, 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

Sailors heave the phone and distance line on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a replenishment-at-sea in the South China Sea, May 30, 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

PALAU

PALAU (May 29, 2025) Cmdr. Andrew Vann, executive officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88), scans for navigation aids as the ship pulls into Palau for a scheduled port visit, May 29. 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

PHILIPPINE SEA

PHILIPPINE SEA (May, 31. 2025) - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), conducts an underway-replenishment with the dry cargo/ammunition oiler USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), May, 31, 2025. The William P. Lawrence is conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gavin Arnold-Hendershot) Share

LHA 7 LATEST NEWS

250519-N-EV253-1002 America-class amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7) transits San Diego Bay, May 19, 2025. The ship departed Naval Base San Diego to complete a homeport change and join forward-deployed naval forces in Sasebo, Japan as part of a scheduled rotation of forces in the Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sara L. Eshleman) Share