SAN DIEGO

A U.S. Sailor stands watch aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while the ship departs Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego following the offload of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, Dec. 9, 2025. CVW-17 operated as part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group during a nearly nine-month mission to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Frankie M. Guage) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) sails alongside Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Dec. 10, 2025. Frank E. Petersen Jr., assigned to the 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 3rd Class Christian Kibler) Share

LUMUT, Malaysia

Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) conducts small boat operations and a personnel transfer with Royal Malaysian Navy Lekiu-class guided-missile frigate KD Lekiu (FFG 30) during the sea phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia 2025 in the Strait of Malacca, Dec. 8, 2025. This year marks the 31st iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise series designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies abilities to operate together in response to traditional and nontraditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Joseph Tolentino) Share

LUMUT, Malaysia

U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians prepare a demolition range during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia 2025 in Lumut, Malaysia, Dec. 8, 2025. This year marks the 31st iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise series designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies' abilities to operate together in response to traditional and nontraditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mitchell Johnson) Share

LUMUT, Malaysia

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brody Grafton, an intelligence specialist assigned to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, demonstrates an intelligence preparation of the battlespace to Royal Malaysian Armed Forces service members during a staff training exercise (STAFFEX) as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia 2025 at Lumut Naval Base, in Lumut, Malaysia, Dec. 5, 2025. This year marks the 31st iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise series designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies' abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Luis Agostini) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Benjamin Kehn, right, provides safety as Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Artez Patterson, signals a U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, as it prepares to take off the flight deck of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) on Dec. 4, 2025. Frank E. Petersen Jr., assigned to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd 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 3rd Class Christian Kibler) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

U.S. Marines, with the Maritime Raid Force, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, carry packs and gear across the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 8, 2025. The 11th MEU is currently underway aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations conducting integrated training that enhances lethality and warfighting readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Stuart) Share

U.S. 7TH FLEET

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, prepares to take off during flight operations aboard forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), flagship of the Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group, Dec. 4, 2025, while conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Marines and Sailors conducted flight operations in order to expand mission capabilities in support of the 31st MEU. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrola) Share

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif.

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2025) - Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) returns to Naval Base Point Loma following a six-month deployment, Sept. 29. Santa Fe is assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 11, home to four Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines, which are capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rashan Jefferson) Share

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