Photos

San Diego

SAN DIEGO (Dec. 2, 2021) Boatswain's Mate Seaman Joshua Vergara, right, and Seaman Ibitayo Adewole prepare to fake line aboard amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). Makin Island is underway conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob D. Bergh) Share

OKINAWA, JAPAN

211201-N-KW505-0001 OKINAWA, Japan (Dec. 1, 2021) – Rear Adm. Chris Engdahl, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7, speaks during the opening ceremony for Cooperation Readiness Afloat Training (CARAT) Bangladesh 2021. In its 27th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211129-N-PH222-1139 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Nov. 29, 2021) Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Tyler Houser, from Polk County, Florida, participates in a sea and anchor evolution 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

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211129-N-PH222-1171 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Nov. 29, 2021) Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Wei Chen, from Oakland, California, prepares for evening colors from the flight deck 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

211127-N-PH222-2665 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 27, 2021) Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jerry Brown, from Middletown, Ohio, fires a M-240B machine gun on the foc’sle aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during a live fire exercise. 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

211126-N-PH222-1616 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 26, 2021) Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Marcus Lopez, from Ontario, California, stands ready with aircraft tie down chains and a chock as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter attached to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, conducts a flight maneuver above the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during routine flight 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

211126-N-PH222-1650 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 26, 2021) Sailors participate in a flight deck firefighting drill 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

211123-N-PH222-2080 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 23, 2021) Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Brian Dupuis, from Standish, Maine, left and, Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Jillian Aguilar, from Dallas, conduct maintenance on an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter attached to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21, from 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

PHILIPPINE SEA

Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Eugene Smith, from Albany, Georgia, uses the “big eye” binoculars on the port bridge wing 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

211124-N-PH222-1051 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 24, 2021) Sailors transport 57mm MK 110 ammunition 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

211123-N-FA490-3275 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 23, 2021) Lt. Caroline French, from Wheaton, Illinois, fires a 9mm pistol, as Gunner’s Mate Seaman Summer Hart, from Daytona Beach, Florida, serves as line coach on the flight deck of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6), during a small-arms sustainment shoot. 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/released) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

211123-N-FA490-1074 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 23, 2021) Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Tyler Bidlack, from Towanda, Pennsylvania, troubleshoots the interior voice communications system (IVCS) in the server room of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6). 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/released) Share