170224-N-RM689-578 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 24, 2017) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the South China Sea. The ship is on a western Pacific deployment with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet into the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelsey L. Adams/Released)