SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 17, 2022) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Austin Wade, left, from Springfield, Georgia, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Jan Balgan, from Las Vegas, prepare an F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 to launch from the flight deck of the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Royal Maces conduct carrier-based air strike and strike force escort missions, as well as ship, battle group, and intelligence collection operations. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda)