160304-N-EH218-441 SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 4, 2016) - The guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) is conducting a routine patrol in international waters. Seventh Fleet ships conduct these patrols routinely and sailed a combined 700 days in the South China Sea in 2015 alone. A People's Liberation Army (Navy) ship (pennant number 851) transits in the background. Stockdale is part of the John C. Stennis Strike Group and Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan Batchelder/ Released)