211112-N-PH222-1326 PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 12, 2021) Lt. j.g. Gerardo Colon-Gonzales, from Villalba, Puerto Rico, stands junior officer of the deck watch in the pilot house aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during routine operations. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, 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)