Retail Services Specialist 2nd Class James Rivera, from San Bernardino, California, applies metal shoring to a box patch during a structural damage and flooding drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 24. Preble is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryre Arciaga)A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, from the 31st MEU Air Combat Element (ACE) lands on the flight deck of forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) while conducting flight operations in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 24. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. NavyÕs largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenneth Melseth)Government officials from Thailand and members of the Royal Thai Armed Forces observe flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) while underway in the South China Sea, Jan. 26, 2025. The U.S. and Thailand work together as allies to support their shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Vinson, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group ONE, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nate Jordan)