211130-N-IW069-1231

From left to right Vice Adm. Hideki Yuasa, commander, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Fleet Master Chief Yoshihiro Aoyama, Self Defense Force, U.S. 7th Fleet Command Master Chief Jason Haka, pose for a photo on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), during Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 2021, Nov. 30, 2021. ANNUALEX 2021 is a multilateral exercise conducted by naval elements of the Royal Australian, Royal Canadian, German, JMSDF and U.S. navies to demonstrate naval interoperability and a joint commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out name tapes.)