PHILIPPINE SEA (March 16, 2021) Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Celeste Whitmore, from Hemet, Calif., left, and Aviation Machinist�s Mate 2nd Class Samantha Wenzell, from Queen Creek, Ariz., both assigned to the �Golden Falcons� of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, embarked aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) serve as maintainers for MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters, critical to Blue Ridge�s mission in the area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet employs 50-70 ships and submarines across the Western Pacific and Indian oceans. 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 2nd Class Reymundo A. Villegas III)