170127-N- EM227-002 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 27, 2017) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) transits the South China Sea. Port Royal is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sara B. Sexton/Released)