230404-N-BI507-1056 EAST CHINA SEA (April 4, 2023) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) steams in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Asagiri-class destroyer JS Umigiri (DD 158), Republic of Korea (ROK) Sejong the Great-class destroyer ROKS Yul Gok Yi (DDG 992), Chungmugong Yi Sun-Shin-class destroyers ROKS Dae Jo young (DDH 977) and ROKS Choi Young (DDH 981), So Yang-class fast combat support ship ROKS So Yang (AOE 51), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) steam in formation with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is conducting a trilateral maritime exercise with the ROK Navy and JMSDF in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. 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 Carson Croom)