SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 23, 2024) Sailors assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) and Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) transit the flight deck after removing chocks and chains from a CH-53E Super Stallion, assigned to the “White Knights” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), in the South China Sea, May 23. Somerset is currently underway conducting routine operations in U.S. 7th Fleet with elements of the 15th MEU. 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 2nd Class Evan Diaz)