SASEBO, Japan (Nov. 17, 2020) Vice Adm. Bill Merz, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, meets with Quartermaster 2nd Class Anastasia Clark, from Lake Charles, La., USS America’s (LHA 6) Sailor of the Year, during a visit to Sasebo. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group and assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11, 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 Seaman Matthew Cavenaile)