SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 17, 2023) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105), front, and the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), rear, conduct joint operations with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Akebono (DD-108) in the South China Sea, Oct. 17, 2023. Dewey is assigned to Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and Gabrielle Giffords is part of DESRON 7, 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 Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Lucas Herzog)