PACIFIC OCEAN (April 27, 2021) Boatswain's Mate Airman Ernest Pelicano directs an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, piloted by Capt. Thomas Ulmer, commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), and Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Rowland, aboard Makin Island. 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 2nd Class Jacob D. Bergh)