SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 26, 2022) Sailors prepare to chock and chain an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the �Blackjacks� of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, on the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during a vertical replenishment-at-sea. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, 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)