PACIFIC OCEAN (March 20, 2018) The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) remains anchored in waters near the Ulithi Atoll for a photography exercise while en route to the Mercy's first mission stop of Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18). PP18's mission is to work collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase stability and security in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships across the Indo-Pacific Region. Pacific Partnership, now in its 13th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey L. Adams/Released)
PHILIPPINE SEA (March 20, 2018) A MK-38 (Mod 2) 25 mm machine gun system aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) is fired as part of a gun exercise. Wasp, part of the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance operability with partners, serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency and advance the Up-Gunned ESG concept. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Barker/Released)
ARABIAN GULF (March 20, 2018) A Sailor directs propeller checks for an E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the Sun Kings of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Theodore Roosevelt and its carrier strike group are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael A. Colemanberry/Released)
ARABIAN GULF (March 20, 2018) Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Jose Pando, left, and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Margaret Torbeck attach ordnance to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Indians of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during an ammunition offload with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6). Theodore Roosevelt and its carrier strike group are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael Hogan/Released)
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 19, 2018) Dan Thomas, a Military Sealift Command civil service mariner, signals to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Ghost Riders of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 aboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) March 19, 2018. Mount Whitney, forward-deployed to Gaeta, Italy, operates with a combined crew of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Krystina Coffey/Released)