SOUTH CHINA SEA

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sept. 8, 2025) - Seaman Zakiya St. Dic, from Chesterfield, Virginia, fires an M18 service pistol during a M18 pistol qualification course on the flight deck of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) in the South China Sea, Sept. 8. Curtis Wilbur is underway in the South China Sea conducting routine operations. The U.S. Navy conducts exercises and operations to maintain readiness, refine tactics, deter conflict, and support maritime homeland defense. Curtis Wilbur is forward deployed and currently 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 Seaman Mark Bergado) Share

EAST CHINA SEA

EAST CHINA SEA (Sept. 15, 2025) — Sailors assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) operate a rigid-hull inflatable boat during a man overboard retrieval drill while underway in the East China Sea, Sept. 15. Blue Ridge and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance future warfighting capabilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Damian Cook) Share

U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS

U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Sept. 15, 2025) – Sailors of the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team from Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) approach the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH-181) on a rigid-hull inflatable boat alongside Republic of Korea (ROK) forces during a simulated VBSS exercise with the JMSDF and ROK Navy in support of Freedom Edge 25, Sept. 15. Trilateral exercises and operations like Freedom Edge demonstrate our shared commitment to collectively achieve and maintain peace in the Asia-Pacific. Curtis Wilbur is forward deployed and currently 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 Seaman Mark Bergado) Share

PYEONGTAEK, Republic of Korea

PYEONGTAEK, Republic of Korea (Sept. 18, 2025) – Operations Specialist Seaman Arturo Guerrero stands bridge wing lookout watch aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) while arriving in Pyeongtaek, Sept. 18. Blue Ridge and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance future warfighting capabilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andres Fonts) Share

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (Sept. 18, 2025) – Capt. Louis Catalina, commanding officer of U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) receives flowers as a welcome gift during a routine port visit to Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Sept. 18, 2025. The Blue Ridge and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance future warfighting capabilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Damian Cook) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out identification badges.) Share

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (Sept. 18, 2025) – U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Commander Rear Adm. Katie Sheldon, right, greets Republic of Korea Navy 2nd Fleet Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Lee Jae-seop during a welcoming ceremony for U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Sept. 18, 2025. The 7th Fleet staff and Blue Ridge crew are in Pyeongtaek for a scheduled port visit, strengthening the ironclad alliance between the U.S. and South Korea. 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 Charles Oki) Share

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (Sept. 18, 2025) – U.S. 7th Fleet Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Kyle Gantt, right, greets Republic of Korea Navy 2nd Fleet Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Lee Jae-seop during a welcoming ceremony for U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Sept. 18, 2025. The 7th Fleet staff and Blue Ridge crew are in Pyeongtaek for a scheduled port visit, strengthening the ironclad alliance between the U.S. and South Korea. 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 Charles Oki) Share

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (Sept. 18, 2025) – U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrives in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Sept. 18, 2025. The Blue Ridge and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance future warfighting capabilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andres Fonts) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

PACIFIC OCEAN (Sep. 12, 2025) Sailors chock and chain an MH-60S Sea Hawk, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln, flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, is underway conducting routine training operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations, as an integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic and relevant training to ensure the readiness necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s timeless role across the full spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Aljay Monzales) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 15, 2025) Sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), participate in a fire drill on the ship’s flight deck, Sept. 15. America is operating in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads 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 allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Darian Lord) Share

U.S. 7th FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS

U.S. 7th FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Sept. 16, 2025) – Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181) sails in formation with U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) in support of Exercise Freedom Edge 25 in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, Sept. 16. Trilateral exercises like Freedom Edge demonstrate our shared commitment to achieve and maintain peace in the Asia-Pacific. 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 1st Class Charles Oki) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sept. 6, 2025) - Operations Specialist 3rd Class Hussein Msakila, left, from Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, and Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Ian-Kenneth Soria, from Angeles, Philippines, attach a hose line to a peri jet eductor in berthing two of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) during an integrated training team general quarters drill in the South China Sea, Sept. 6. Curtis Wilbur is underway in the South China Sea conducting routine operations. The U.S. Navy conducts exercises and operations to maintain readiness, refine tactics, deter conflict, and support maritime homeland defense. Curtis Wilbur is forward deployed and currently 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 Seaman Mark Bergado) Share