SOUTH CHINA SEA

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 25, 2025) - The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS 28), returns into formation behind the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) after deploying a target for a live-fire gunnery exercise (GUNNEX) during Balikatan 2025, April 25. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen our ironclad alliance, improve our capable combined force, and demonstrate our commitment to regional security and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Leonard Adams) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 prepares to take off from the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) during night operations in the Philippine Sea, April 24, 2025. Gridley, assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, 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 2nd Class Timothy Meyer) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer JS Ariake (DD-109) sail together for bilateral operations in the Philippine Sea, April 27, 2025. Curtis Wilbur, assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, 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 Mark Bergado) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 participate in a small-arms gun shoot aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Philippine Sea, April 26, 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 2nd Class Caylen McCutcheon) Share

INDIAN OCEAN

INDIAN OCEAN (April 26, 2025) An MH-60R assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 det. 4 the “High Rollers” carries pallets to the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) during a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) while underway in the Indian Ocean, April 26. Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 logistically resupplies deployed units in the Indo-Pacific along with regional Allies and partners. Ralph Johnson 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 1st Class Hannah Fry) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Philippine Sea, April 26, 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 2nd Class Emma Burgess) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) sails through the Philippine Sea, April 25, 2025. Gridley, assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, 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 2nd Class Timothy Meyer) Share

NOUMEA, New Caledonia

250426-N-ZD626-1166 NOUMEA, New Caledonia (April 26, 2025) – Culinary Specialist 3rd class Dillion Yost, from Lakeway, Texas, and Information Systems Technician Seaman Patricia Murczek, from Chicago, salute the American flag aboard the U.S. 7th fleet Flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), while pulling into Noumea, New Caledonia for a routine port visit, April 26, 2025. The 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 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary Del Rio) Share

NOUMEA, New Caledonia

250426-N-ZD626-1127 NOUMEA, New Caledonia (April 26, 2025) –Machinist’s Mate Fireman Glenn Aranzanso, from Chicago, stands watch aboard the U.S. 7th fleet Flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), while pulling into Noumea, New Caledonia for a routine port visit, April 26, 2025. The 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 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary Del Rio) Share

NOUMEA, New Caledonia

250426-N-ZD626-1082 NOUMEA, New Caledonia (April 26, 2025) –Legalman 1st class Sherlandria Ashe, from Buena Vista, Georgia, mans the rails aboard the U.S. 7th fleet Flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), while pulling into Noumea, New Caledonia for a routine port visit, April 26, 2025. The 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 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary Del Rio) Share

NOUMEA, New Caledonia

250426-N-RW305-1032 NOUMEA, New Caledonia (April 26, 2025) – Machinist’s Mate Fireman Glenn Aranzanso, from Chicago, mans the rails aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) during a port visit in Noumea, New Caledonia, April 26, 2025. The 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 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Thomas Furnish) Share

DIEGO GARCIA

DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (April 23, 2025) – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) arrives at U.S. Naval Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia for a scheduled port visit, April 23, 2025. NSF Diego Garcia’s mission is to provide critical support to U.S. and allied forces forward deployed to the Indian Ocean, while supporting multi-theater forces operating in the CENTCOM, AFRICOM, EUCOM and PACOM areas of responsibilities in support of overseas contingency operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seamen Kamaren Hill) Share