Sailors aboard the USS Howard conduct flight quarters in the South China Sea

240430-N-CV021-1043 SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 30, 2024) A Sea Hawk helicopter (MH-60R) flies past the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 083) after flight quarters in the South China Sea, April 30. Howard is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexandria Esteban)