230404-N-NX635-1143

230404-N-NX635-1143 EAST CHINA SEA (April 4, 2023) The Republic of Korea (ROK) Sejong the Great-class destroyer ROKS Yul Gok Yi (DDG 992) steams in formation with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is conducting a trilateral maritime exercise with the ROK Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Caylen McCutcheon)