PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 20, 2021) Sailors conduct a vertical replenishment from the flight deck aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), with an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21, assigned to the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7). Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden)