USS Mustin conducts flight operations

U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Justice House, left, from Montana, gives hand signals to an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 while Fire Controlman 2nd Class Jon-Eric Ortiz, right, from New York, and Gunner’s Mate Seaman Izaiah Cortez, from Mississippi, transit with chocks and chains on the flight deck aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) during flight operations in the Indian Ocean, Aug. 19, 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)