CARRIBEAN SEA (March 24, 2021) The Dominican Republic Near Coastal Patrol Vessel Betelguese (GC 102), conducts a bi-lateral maritime exercise with the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) and her small boats, March 24, 2021. Wichita is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South's mission, which includes counter illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)