DA NANG, Vietnam

DA NANG, Vietnam (Dec. 8, 2025) Ambassador Marc E. Knapper, U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, center; Consul General Melissa A. Brown, U.S. consulate general in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, center-left; Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, deputy director, Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs, center-right; and Capt. Stephen Henz, commanding officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), second from center-right, participate in an arrival ceremony with members of the Vietnam People's Navy and Sailors assigned to Robert Smalls during a port visit to Da Nang, Vietnam, Dec. 8, 2025. The America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7); Robert Smalls (CG 62); and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 are in Da Nang, Vietnam, for a scheduled port visit. U.S. 7th Fleet is 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 Lt. Nicholas Spaleny) 251208-N-RG201-1002 Share

DA NANG, Vietnam

DA NANG, Vietnam (Dec. 8, 2025) Capt. Stephen Henz, commanding officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), center, and Ambassador Marc E. Knapper, the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, center-left, shake hands with members of the Vietnam People's Navy during an arrival ceremony for a port visit to Da Nang, Vietnam, Dec. 8, 2025. The America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7); Robert Smalls; and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 are in Da Nang, Vietnam, for a scheduled port visit. U.S. 7th Fleet is 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 Lt. Nicholas Spaleny) 251208-N-RG201-1001 Share

DA NANG, Vietnam

Sailors and Marines, assigned to the Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group, man the rails for a port visit to Da Nang, Vietnam, Dec. 8, 2025. The America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7); The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62); and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 are in Da Nang, Vietnam, for a scheduled port visit. U.S. 7th Fleet is 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 2nd Class Kaleb Shultz) Share

DA NANG, Vietnam

U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group, man the rails as the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrives in Da Nang, Vietnam, Dec. 08, 2025. The USS Tripoli (LHA 7); USS Robert Smalls (CG 62); and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 are in Da Nang, Vietnam, for a scheduled port visit. U.S. 7th Fleet is 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. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla) Share

DA NANG, Vietnam

America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) pulls in to Da Nang, Vietnam for a port visit, Dec. 8, 2025. Tripoli; The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62); and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 are in Da Nang, Vietnam, for a scheduled port visit. U.S. 7th Fleet is 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 2nd Class Kaleb Shultz) Share

SAN DIEGO

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) departs Naval Base San Diego for routine operations, Nov. 21, 2025. 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 2nd Class Nettie Mae Manfull) Share

U.S. 7TH FLEET

Sailors, assigned to Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), heave line during a refueling-at-sea with Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Dec. 8, 2025. Michael Murphy (DDG 112), assigned to Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jonteil Johnson) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 6, 2025. VFA-146 returned to their homeport after completing operations aboard Nimitz, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations, 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 Tomas R. Valdes) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

An E-2D Hawkeye, attached to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 6, 2025. VAW-121 returned to their homeport after completing operations aboard Nimitz, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations, 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 Caylen McCutcheon) Share

SAN DIEGO

Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) transits through San Diego Bay as it arrives at its homeport of San Diego for the first time, Dec. 5, 2025. Pierre, the second U.S. Navy ship to bear this name, commissioned in Panama City, Florida, Nov. 15, as the final Independence-variant LCS. Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Josh Cote) Share

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII

An Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 banner is displayed during the RIMPAC Mid-Planning Conference at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 4, 2025. RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise, providing a unique training opportunity that fosters and sustains cooperative relationships among participants. These relationships are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th iteration of the biennial exercise, which began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lordin Kelly) Share

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII

Members of partner and ally nations attend the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 PHOTOEX brief at the RIMPAC 2026 Mid-Planning Conference at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 4, 2025. RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise, providing a unique training opportunity that fosters and sustains cooperative relationships among participants. These relationships are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th iteration of the biennial exercise, which began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lordin Kelly) Share