PHILIPPINE SEA. Civilian contractor Joe DiBenedetto conducts a pre-flight inspection on a Mark 4.7 Golf Aerosonde drone aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) in the Philippine Sea, March 30, 2024. Higgins is forward deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the NavyΓs largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th FleetΓs principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hannah Fry)PHILIPPINE SEA. Aviation BoatswainΓs Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Robert Miller, from Palatka, Florida, guides an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 during take off from the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) while conducting routine operations in the Philippine Sea, April 2, 2024. 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. NavyΓs 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 2nd Class Cole Pursley)PHILIPPINE SEA . The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) participates in a live-fire exercise in the Philippine Sea, April 2, 2024. Ralph Johnson is forward deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the NavyΓs largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th FleetΓs principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jamaal Liddell)240403-N-NF288-170 PHILIPPINE SEA. Sailors participate in a general quarters drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) in the Philippine Sea, April 3. Ralph Johnson is forward deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navyβs largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleetβs principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jamaal Liddell)NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. Sailors attending the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Aviation BoatswainΓs Mate ΓAΓ School practice aircraft firefighting at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Naval Education and Training Command’s mission is to recruit, train and deliver those who serve our nation, taking them from street-to-fleet by forging civilians into highly skilled, operational and combat ready warfighters. (U.S. Navy photo by Nava Kiss)