SANTA RITA, Guam (March 30, 2022) Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, is piped ashore from the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) in Santa Rita. During his visit, Thomas visited various vessels including Tulsa, the 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo-class cargo ship USNS Sgt. William R. Button (T-AK 3012), and the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy�s largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build maritime partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability, and prevent conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Shaina O�Neal)