Australia, Canada, and U.S. conduct multilateral operations in South China Sea

A Royal Canadian Air Force Super Puma lands on the flight deck of Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) as the ship maneuvers into formation with Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) after taking on fuel from Canadian supply ship MV Asterix during a multilateral exercise with the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Canadian Armed Forces in the South China Sea, April 14, 2026. Ashland and embarked Sailors and Marines from Task Force Ashland are a flexible crisis response force, purpose-built to integrate with allies and partners in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. This forward deployment demonstrates the unwavering U.S. commitment to regional security and stability. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John B. Hetherington)