210420-N-AO823-1162

NAVAL BASE GUAM (April 20, 2021) – U.S. Navy Capt. Henry Kim, right, cuts a cake with Capt. Stewart Bateshansky aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) following a ceremony where Kim relieved Bateshanksy as commander of Amphibious Squadron THREE. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled deployment to the region. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael J. Lieberknecht)