PACIFIC OCEAN (April 18, 2021) Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Daniel Ayres, from Fresno, Calif., assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, operates a GAU-21 .50-caliber machine gun in an MH-60S Sea Hawk during a live-fire exercise with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is underway conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sang Kim)