180917-N-WM647-1683 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sep. 17, 2018) Cmdr. Leroy Mitchell, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), and fellow officers observe as ships from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 and Military Sealift Command transit the Philippine Sea for a photo exercise during Valiant Shield 2018. Valiant shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue–water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elesia Patten/Released)