SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 31, 2022) Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Marcus Lopez, from Ontario, California, signals an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, during flight operations aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). 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)