BAY OF BENGAL (Oct. 16, 2021) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) conducts a fueling-at-sea with the Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) 2021, Oct. 16, 2021. MPX 2021 is a multilateral maritime exercise between the Royal Australian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the Royal Navy, and U.S. maritime forces; focused on naval cooperation, interoperability, and regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and is an example of the enduring partnership between Australian, Japanese, U.K., and U.S. maritime forces who routinely operate together in the Indo-Pacific, fostering a cooperative approach toward regional security and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas R. Carter)