SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 12, 2024) Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) heave a messenger line during a replenishment-at-sea with Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194). Messenger lines keep ships connected to each other while transferring supplies. Sterett is assigned to Carrier Strike Group ONE 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)