USS Mustin conducts flight ops in Indian Ocean

U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Connor Brock, left, from California, and Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Andrew Juarez, from California, inspect the rotor blades of an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35, prior to flight operations on the flight deck aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89), while underway in the Indian Ocean, Sept. 5, 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)