190805-N-FV739-0320 JAVA SEA (Aug. 5, 2019) Lt. Ben Ralen, assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, climbs aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8) during a passenger transfer as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2019. This year marks the 25th iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies' abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher A. Veloicaza/Released)