SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 9, 2021) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transits the South China Sea, Feb. 9, 2021. The Theodore Roosevelt and Nimitz Carrier Strike Groups are conducting dual-carrier operations during their deployments to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Wade Costin)