170327-N-HD638-061 U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (March 27, 2017) Side boys from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) render honors to Rear Adm. Kajimoto Daisuke, commander, Escort Flotilla 3, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force on the flight deck. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled 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 aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific regularly and routinely for more than 70 years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matt Brown/Released)