SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 23, 2024) Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, commander of Carrier Strike Group 9, salutes the sideboys upon his departure on the flight deck aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) in the South China Sea, April 23, 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)