NAVAL BASE KITSAPBREMERTON, Wash.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), transits the Puget Sound during its return to homeport Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Washington, Dec. 16, 2025. Nimitz, flagship of Carrier Strike Group 11 (CSG 11), returns to its homeport of Bremerton following nine months operating in the U.S. 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. 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. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kazia Ream) Share

BREMERTON, Wash.

U.S. Sailors man the rails aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as it transits Puget Sound while returning to Naval Base Kitsap, Washington, Dec. 16, 2025. Nimitz, flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, returns to its homeport of Bremerton following a nine-month mission to the U.S. 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleets areas 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 Peter K. McHaddad) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

An MH-60S Sea Hawk, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, conducts a vertical replenishment-at-sea with Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) and aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, Nov. 15, 2025. 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 3rd Class Edward Jacome) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

U.S. Navy Sailors taxi an F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 10, 2025. Abraham Lincoln, flagship of 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 Seaman Shepard Fosdyke-Jackson) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, Nov. 11, 2025. 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 Frankie M. Guage) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Kimberly Famuliner shoots a shot line from the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during fueling-at-sea with Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 13, 2025. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Units assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance peace through strength. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Shepard Fosdyke-Jackson) 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) in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 10, 2025. Abraham Lincoln, flagship of 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 Seaman Angel Campbell) Share

BALAM, Indonesia

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Andrew Recame, center, commanding officer of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20), speaks to Indonesian National Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tri Budi Utomo, right, Secretary General, Ministry of Defense, aboard Cincinnati during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-U.S. Maritime Exercise (AUMX) 2025, in Batam, Indonesia, Dec. 10, 2025. This is the second iteration of AUMX, designed to promote shared commitments to maritime partnerships, security, and stability in Southeast Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Robledo) Share

BALAM, Indonesia

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Katie Sheldon, left, vice commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, speaks to Indonesian National Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tri Budi Utomo, Secretary General, Ministry of Defense, center, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-U.S. Maritime Exercise (AUMX) 2025, in Batam, Indonesia, Dec. 10, 2025. This is the second iteration of AUMX, designed to promote shared commitments to maritime partnerships, security, and stability in Southeast Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Robledo) Share

BALAM, Indonesia

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Katie Sheldon, right, vice commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, receives a souvenir from Indonesian National Armed Forces Brigadier General M. Lufti, Director of Defence International Cooperation, Ministry of Defence during the dinner reception of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-U.S. Maritime Exercise (AUMX) 2025, in Batam, Indonesia, Dec. 10, 2025. This is the second iteration of AUMX, designed to promote shared commitments to maritime partnerships, security, and stability in Southeast Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Robledo) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

U.S. Marines, with the Maritime Raid Force, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast-rope from a U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk, with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, during helicopter rope suspension techniques training on the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 12, 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 Sgt. Joseph Helms) Share

U.S. 7TH FLEET

U.S. Navy Sailors handle a phone and distance line on the fo'c'sle of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) during a replenishment-at-sea with Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, Dec. 6, 2025. Commander, Task Force 73 (CTF-73) in coordination with Military Sealift Command Far East (MSC FE) refuels and resupplies deployed naval forces, along with regional allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. Within the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 is responsible for conducting expeditionary warfare operations with Navy and Marine Corps capabilities to support theater contingencies that range from crisis response to full combat operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryre Arciaga) Share