211208-N-PH222-2009

DILI, Timor-Leste (Dec. 8, 2021) Left to right, Thomas E. Daley, charge d’affaires, United States Embassy, Cmdr. Clayton Beas, commanding officer of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), Brig. Gen. Calisto “Coliati” dos Santos, Chief of Staff Timor-Leste Defense Force, and Chief Superintendent Henrique da Costa, Timor-Leste National Police, participate in a cake cutting ceremony in the hangar bay during a reception in Dili, Timor-Leste. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden)