Photos

SOUTH CHINA SEA

211219-N-LI768-1061 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 19, 2021) – Engineman 1st Class Scott Barnesziegmann, from Wall Lake, Iowa, checks JP5 fuel for deficiencies before refueling an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter on the flight deck of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16). Tulsa, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Devin M. Langer) Share

ANDAMAN SEA

211214-N-LI768-1008 ANDAMAN SEA (Dec. 14, 2021) – The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) transits the Andaman Sea. Tulsa, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Devin M. Langer) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211213-N-FA490-1004 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Dec. 13, 2021) Lt. Chris Williams, from Anaheim, California, recites the sailor’s creed on the flight deck of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) during a frocking ceremony. Jackson, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Langholf) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211213-N-FA490-3159 APRA HARBOR, Guam – Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Josh Allen, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, left, and Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 3rd Class Matthew Borough, from Buckley, Washington, both assigned to the “Island Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, are hoisted onto a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, during an open water search and rescue exercise (SAREX). HSC-23 and USS Jackson (LCS 6), part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, are on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Langholf) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

211214-N-PH222-1293 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 14, 2021) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, conducts a flight maneuver over the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during routine operations. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211212-N-FA490-1058 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Dec. 12, 2021) Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Zachary Rodriguez, from Miami, Florida, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 assigned to the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6), maintains an MQ-8C Fire Scout in the hangar bay of Jackson. Jackson, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Langholf) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

211215-N-PH222-1329 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 15, 2021) Damage Controlman 3rd Class Carter Cunningham, from Sacramento, California, left, assists Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Tyler Houser, from Polk County, Florida, in donning a Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology during Chemical, Biological and Radiological training aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

211215-N-PH222-1571 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 15, 2021) Ensign Shepard Petit, from Salida, Colorado, participates in damage control plot chart training on the mess decks aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during routine operations. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

211213-N-PH222-1043 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 13, 2021) Sailors participate in an emergency medical response team training exercise aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during routine operations. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

211216-N-PH222-1658 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 16, 2021) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Jillian Aguilar, from Dallas, assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, poses for a photo aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during routine operations. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

DILI, EAST TIMOR

211208-N-PH222-2009 DILI, Timor-Leste (Dec. 8, 2021) Left to right, Thomas E. Daley, charge d’affaires, United States Embassy, Cmdr. Clayton Beas, commanding officer of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), Brig. Gen. Calisto “Coliati” dos Santos, Chief of Staff Timor-Leste Defense Force, and Chief Superintendent Henrique da Costa, Timor-Leste National Police, participate in a cake cutting ceremony in the hangar bay during a reception in Dili, Timor-Leste. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

GUAM

211210-N-FA490-2017 ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (Dec. 10, 2021) – Naval Aircrewman (helicopter) 2nd Class Noah Padilla, from Bakersfield, California, left, observes Naval Aircrewman (helicopter) 2nd Class Joseph Aubrey, from Coral Springs, Florida, both assigned to the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, demonstrating how to place a patient into a litter during search and rescue (SAR) training. HSC-23, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Langholf) Share