USS Nimitz Sailors conduct aircraft maintenance in South China Sea

Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Brian Kleven, right, from Seattle, and Aviation Safety Equipment Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Retnata Valdes from Houston, conduct maintenance on an F/A-18F Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 in the hangar bay of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, May 28, 2025. The Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Franklyn M. Guage)