210409-N-FK754-1021

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 9, 2021) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73), right, and the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) transit in formation with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group in the South China Sea April 9, 2021. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and Port Royal are conducting expeditionary strike force operations during their deployments to the 7th Fleet area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region.