PHILIPPINE SEA (March 25, 2023) Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, speaks to Sailors during a visit to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The visit coincides with a bilateral maritime exercise between units from Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), including anti-submarine drills, air defense exercises, helicopter cross deck landings, and integrated maritime fires training. Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine 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 2nd Class Samuel Osborn)