BAY OF BENGAL (Oct. 17, 2021) Ships and aircraft from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Navy, U.K. Royal Navy, and U.S. Navy, led by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), U.K. Royal Navy HMS Queen Elizabeth (R 08), and JMSDF Izumo-class helicopter destroyer JS Kaga (DDH 184), transit in formation as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) 2021, Oct. 17, 2021. MPX 2021 is a multilateral maritime exercise between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Navy, U.K. 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 2nd Class Russell Lindsey)