SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 1, 2022) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits the South China Sea. The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through 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 Mass Communication 3rd Class Thaddeus Berry)