SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 30, 2024) An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter departs the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) during flight quarters in the South China Sea, April 30, 2024. Howard is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexandria Esteban)