200717-N-RF825-1038 SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 17, 2020) Aviation Boatswain�s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Natalie Apostol, of Anaheim, California, signals aircraft as an F/A -18E Super Hornet attached to the Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 takes off from the flight deck of the Navy�s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jason Tarleton/Released)