171001-N-OL837-159 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 1, 2017) The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ship JS Sazanami (DD-113) is underway alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, providing a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Noble/Released)