210907-N-HS181-1087 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sept. 7, 2021) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the South China Sea with Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16), Sept. 7, 2021. Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners while serving 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 Haydn N. Smith)