SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 20, 2024) Cmdr. David Gardner, from Bishop, California, commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26), thanks the crew of the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) after an underway replenishment in the South China Sea, March 20, 2024. Mobile, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment 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 Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jen S. Martinez)