USS Portland, 11th MEU conduct flight ops in Pacific Ocean

A CH-53E Super Stallion, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is staged on the flight deck of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) during flight operations in the Pacific Ocean, April 10, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Luke Rodriguez)