PHILIPPINE SEA (June 16, 2022) Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Aubrey Howard, from Chicago, makes preparations for the launch of an MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, on the flight deck aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6). 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 Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Joel Maldonado)