SOUTH CHINA SEA

Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), June 15, 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 Eliora Sims) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

A U.S. Sailor, assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), signals an AH-1Z Viper, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, to take-off during flight operations in the South China Sea, June 13, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. 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. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Stuart) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is staged on the flight deck aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the South China Sea, June 13, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. 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. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Stuart) Share

Mayport, Fla.

Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S. 4th Fleet, and Rear Adm. Cassidy Norman, commander of Carrier Strike Group 11, pose for a photo with Sailors inside the hangar bay aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while Nimitz is pierside in Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, June 16, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 2nd Fleet Area of Operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Molly Guy) Share

Mayport, Fla.

Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S. 4th Fleet, speaks to the crew of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) over the ship’s 1MC following Nimitz’ arrival at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, June 16, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 2nd Fleet Area of Operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Molly Guy) Share

Mayport, Fla.

Navy Quartermaster Senior Chief Benjamin Richards shifts colors on the mast of Nimitz-class aircraft USS Nimitz (CVN 68) after pulling pierside at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, June 16, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jaron Wills) Share

Mayport, Fla.

Sailors handle line on the fantail of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while pulling into Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, June 16, 2026. USS Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tanner Orth) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lighting II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off during flight operations aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the South China Sea, June 13, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. 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. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Trent A. Henry) Share

PACIFIC OCEAN

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Jordan Orr, right, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Hercules Soder, assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), taxi a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMA) 164, on the flight deck, June 8, 2026, in preparation for RIMPAC 2026. Thirty-one nations, 36 surface ships, 5 submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 24 to July 31. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ivan A. Garcia) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) transits the South China Sea, June 13, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (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 Trace Gorsuch) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

U.S. Marines, with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct hoist training from an MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, on the flight deck of San Antonio-class transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27), June 10, 2026. Portland, part 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 Adam Bishop) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducts small boat operations with a rigid-hull inflatable boat, June 8, 2026. Portland, part 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 2nd Class Sheryssa Dodard) Share