PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 7, 2022) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) sails in formation during exercise Noble Fusion as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, takes off from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Ships of the America and Essex Amphibious Ready Groups, and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, alongside the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, participate in exercise Noble Fusion. Noble Fusion highlights that Navy and Marine Corps forward-deployed stand-in naval expeditionary forces can rapidly aggregate Marine Expeditionary Unit/Amphibious Ready Group teams at sea, along with a carrier strike group, as well as other joint force movement, and create advantage for U.S., partner and allied forces. Naval Expeditionary forces conduct training throughout the year, in the Indo-Pacific, to maintain readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Justin Webb)