USS Portland, 11th MEU conduct flight ops in South China Sea

U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Darrell Agustin, assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27), guides a CH-53E Super Stallion, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, onto the flight deck in the South China Sea, June 6, 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 Cpl. Avery Wayland)