ATLANTIC OCEAN . Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) paint the ship’s hull number with their flash lights during a stargazing event on the flight deck, Aug. 19, 2022. George H.W. Bush provides the national command authority flexible, tailorable warfighting capability as the flagship of a carrier strike group that maintains maritime stability and security to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is an integrated combat weapons system that delivers superior combat capability to deter, and if necessary, defeat America’s adversaries in support of national security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Novalee Manzella)PHILIPPINE SEA. Chief Gunner’s Mate Thomas Salmons, from Logansport, Ind., observes as Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Christian Freda, from Long Island, N.Y., fires an M2A1 .50-caliber machine gun aboard the Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) during a live-fire exercise in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 20, 2022. Frank Cable is currently on patrol conducting expeditionary maintenance and logistics in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaitlyn E. Eads)PHILIPPINE SEA. A CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (Reinforced) takes off from amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), Aug. 24, 2022. Tripoli is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Burghart)EAST CHINA SEA. Sailors in the pilot house of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) conduct force protection training in the East China Sea, Aug. 24, 2022. Chancellorsville is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and is assigned to Commander, Task Force 70, a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of its allies and partners in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Stack)