USS Mustin conducts flight ops in Indian Ocean

U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Jessica Howard, from Georgia, uses flight deck wands to signal to an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35, as it lands on the flight deck aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) during night flight operations in the Indian Ocean, May 16, 2026. Mustin is forward deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. U.S. 7th Fleet, the 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 2nd Class Timothy Dimal)