PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 23, 2022) An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Scorpions" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 prepares for take-off from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) as the ship is positioned to conduct lifesaving actions in support of disaster relief efforts in Tonga. The ship is operating in support of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The Australian government response is coordinating closely with France and New Zealand under the FRANZ partnership, alongside Fiji, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States to assist Tonga in its time of need. Sampson is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Intelligence Specialist 1st class Zackery Harmeyer)