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

U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Eli Romine, assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27), prepares to chain down a U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk, with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, in the South China Sea, June 10, 2026. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 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)