EAST CHINA SEA (March 2, 2023) Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6) fuel a CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) during flight operations, as part of Exercise Iron Fist, on the ship’s flight deck while sailing in the East China Sea, Mar. 2. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Thomas B. Contant)