170302-N-FC674-287 SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 2, 2017) The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the South China Sea. The ship and its carrier strike group are on a western Pacific deployment as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kurtis A. Hatcher/Released)