PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 22, 2020) Lt. Vanica Smith, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), fires an M240B machine gun from an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. America, flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group Seven, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter Estrada)