SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 5, 2022) An Australian MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter attached to Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) departs the flight deck aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) while conducting multi-lateral operations in the South China Sea. The United States, with Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and Royal Canadian Navy are participating in multi-lateral exercises in the South China Sea in support of the Royal Australian Navy’s regional presence deployment. Exercises like this reassure our allies and partners of our combined commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Donavan K. Patubo)