220209-N-PH222-1059 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 9, 2022) Fire Controlman 1st Class Timothy Stephenson, from Columbus, Indiana, fires a M9 pistol on the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during a small arms qualification course. 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)