SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 19, 2021) Mineman 2nd Class Samuel Vazquez, from Odessa, Texas, signals for an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the �Blackjacks� of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, to land on the flight deck of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16). Tulsa, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations 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 1st Class Devin M. Langer)