EAST CHINA SEA (April 9, 2024) Sailors heave a line on the forecastle aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) during a fueling-at-sea with the Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194), April 9, 2024. Russell, part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John A. Miller)