SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 19, 2022) Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Reann Mae Stidham, from Rota, North Marianas Islands, directs an MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, off the flight deck aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) during a vertical replenishment-at-sea drill. Jackson, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations 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 Lt. j.g. Alexandra Green)