SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 29, 2023) Fire Controlman 2nd Class Huntermichael McGrath, from Canton, Ohio, heaves a messenger line during a replenishment-at-sea aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) in the South China Sea. Messenger lines keep ships connected to each other while transferring supplies. Sterett is assigned to Carrier Strike Group 1 and deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles J. Scudella III)