PHILIPPINE SEA

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 20, 2025) - Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo-class multi-functional destroyer JS Kaga (DDH 184) (center), accompanied by JMSDF escorts, and U.S. Navy Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) (right) forces sail together in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 20, 2025 in support of Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 25. ANNUALEX is a multilateral exercise that enhances the Japan and U.S. alliance, strengthens naval interoperability and demonstrates a joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class R. Ezekiel Duran) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 20, 2025) - Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Kawasaki P-1, U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, and U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 fly together in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 20, 2025 in support of Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 25. ANNUALEX is a multilateral exercise that enhances the Japan and U.S. alliance, strengthens naval interoperability and demonstrates a joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class R. Ezekiel Duran) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 20, 2025) - Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy forces with Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and French Navy sail together in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 20, 2025 in support of Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 25. ANNUALEX is a multilateral exercise that enhances the Japan and U.S. alliance, strengthens naval interoperability and demonstrates a joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class R. Ezekiel Duran) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 20, 2025) – Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Kawasaki P-1, U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, and U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 fly together in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 20, 2025 in support of Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 25. ANNUALEX is a multilateral exercise that enhances the Japan and U.S. alliance, strengthens naval interoperability and demonstrates a joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class R. Ezekiel Duran) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 20, 2025) - U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 and U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 fly in formation in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 20, 2025 in support of Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 25. ANNUALEX is a multilateral exercise that enhances the Japan and U.S. alliance, strengthens naval interoperability and demonstrates a joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class R. Ezekiel Duran) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 20, 2025) - Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps forces with Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and French Navy sail and fly together in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 20, 2025 in support of Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 25. ANNUALEX is a multilateral exercise that enhances the Japan and U.S. alliance, strengthens naval interoperability and demonstrates a joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class R. Ezekiel Duran) Share

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii

Lapse in Appropriations: The most recent appropriations for the Department of War expired at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sept. 30, 2025. Military personnel will continue in normal duty status, without pay, until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status. Share

BUSAN, South Korea

BUSAN, South Korea (Sept. 28, 2025) – A Republic of Korea Navy sailor looks through “Big Eyes” binoculars aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) while on a ship tour during a routine port visit to Busan, Sept. 28. 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 taken by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Craft) Share

TOKYO Bay

TOKYO BAY, Japan (Sept. 7, 2025) – Lt. Michael Tortorich, left, and Operations Specialist 1st Class Zachary Strong prepare for a combat systems training team exercise in the combat information center aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105), Sept. 7. Dewey is forward deployed and 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 2nd Class Oscar Diaz) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sep. 14, 2025) — Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Trevor Cipriani, left, and Fire Controlman 3rd Class Ryan Beattie load ammo in a .50-caliber machine gun on the aft missile deck aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) during a gun shoot in the South China Sea, Sep. 14. John Finn is forward deployed and 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 2nd Class Alexandria Esteban) Share

YOKOSUKA, Japan

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 29, 2025) – Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) man the rails as the ship departs Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, Sept. 29, following 10 consecutive years of forward-deployed service in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Benfold is forward deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s Largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Taylor DiMartino) Share

YOKOSUKA, Japan

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 29, 2025) – Capt. David Huljack, commanding officer of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15, waves farewell to the crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) from the starboard bridge wing of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) as Benfold departs Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, Sept. 29, following 10 consecutive years of forward-deployed service in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Benfold is forward deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s Largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Taylor DiMartino) Share