SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 21, 2022) Sailors assigned to the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Oakland (LCS 24) wave to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Kirisame (DD 104) following a bilateral exercise in the South China Sea, Oct. 21, 2022. Oakland, 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 Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Mackenzie Jones)