170511-N-PD309-487 SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 11, 2017) Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Nicholas Lovelace, assigned to the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, watches the littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) transit the South China Sea during divisional tactics as part of the multilateral Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. CARAT is a series of annual maritime exercises aimed at strengthening partnerships and increasing interoperability through bilateral and multilateral engagements ashore and at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven Leigh Ellis/Released)