SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 11, 2020) Capt. Kenneth Ward salutes Rear Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7, during a change of command ceremony aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). Ward relieved Capt. Luke Frost, center, as the ship's commanding officer. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, 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 maintain security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Vincent E. Zline)