SOUTH CHINA SEA

From front, Philippine Coast Guard Parola-class patrol vessel BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV 4408), U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC Midgett (WMSL 757), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer JS Ikazuchi (DD 107) and Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) cruise in formation during a group sail exercise for Exercise Balikatan 2026 in the South China Sea, April 28, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John B. Hetherington) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

U.S. Navy Sailors, assigned to Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System 4, return to Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) after visiting a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ShinMaywa US-2 aircraft, assigned to Air Rescue Squadron 71 (ARS-71), Fleet Air Wing 31, during a casualty evacuation exercise for Exercise Balikatan 2026 in the South China Sea, April 27, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John B. Hetherington) Share

INDIAN OCEAN

U.S. Sailors fire a .50 caliber machine gun during a live-fire exercise aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113), April 25, 2026. John Finn is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo) Share

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska

U.S. Marine Corps service members perform preflight checks on an F-35B Lightning II during RED FLAG-Alaska 26-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 27, 2026. In addition to aircrew, RF-A 26-1 provides training for deployed maintenance and support personnel in sustainment of large-force deployed air operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Mikaley Kline) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) transits the Sulu Sea, April 26, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Sailor O’Rear) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Joseph Sanchez, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, guides an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter to land on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), April 28, 2026. HSC 8, part of Carrier Air Wing 11 and the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, is operating in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operation conducting advanced training to bolster strike group readiness and capability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler Harstad) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

U.S. Navy Sailors line up along a catapult with Lt. Cmdr. Brady Cockerham for a boot shoot ceremony on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), April 28, 2026. It is a tradition to launch a pair of boots off the flight deck after a shooter completes the last catapult shot of their career. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operation conducting advanced training to bolster strike group readiness and capability. 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anna Plummer) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Chris Sanderson, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, observes the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) transiting the Sulu Sea from an MH-60S Sea Hawk, April 26, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Sailor O’Rear) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

U.S. Sailors and Marines assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct maintenance on an MH-60S Seahawk, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, on the ship’s flight deck, April 24, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th MEU in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Sailor O’Rear) Share

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa, Japan

A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon, assigned to Patrol and Reconnaissance (VP) 26, parks on Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 26, 2026. VP-26 is forward deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet. 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 William Bennett IV) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Monyette Spates, assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), tests boiler water for safe use in the ship’s oil testing lab, April 27, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Sailor O’Rear) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Emely Rivero, an avionics technician with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), installs an engine fire detector on a CH-53E Super Stallion on the flight deck of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27), April 22, 2026. Portland, part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), and elements of the 11th MEU, are providing vital defense support to civil authorities, contributing to crisis response and recovery efforts in the wake of Super Typhoon Sinlaku. In supporting FEMA and local governments, the Boxer ARG fills critical capability gaps to enable restoration of essential services by civil authorities (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam Bishop) Share