SOUTH CHINA SEA (June 21, 2023) Sailors observe as an MH-60S Sea Hawk attached to the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 takes off from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's only forward- deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), during flight operations in the South China Sea, June 21, 2023. HSC-12, originally established as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 2 on March 7, 1952, is the oldest active operational Navy helicopter squadron. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric Stanton)