USS Curtis Wilbur conducts pistol quals in South China Sea

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sept. 8, 2025) - Seaman Zakiya St. Dic, from Chesterfield, Virginia, fires an M18 service pistol during a M18 pistol qualification course on the flight deck of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) in the South China Sea, Sept. 8. Curtis Wilbur is underway in the South China Sea conducting routine operations. The U.S. Navy conducts exercises and operations to maintain readiness, refine tactics, deter conflict, and support maritime homeland defense. Curtis Wilbur is forward deployed and currently 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 Seaman Mark Bergado)