PACIFIC OCEAN (April 23, 2021) Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) man the phone-and-distance line during a replenishment-at-sea with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14). The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled deployment to the region. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 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 Aaron Sperle)