Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Aug. 7, 2024) A U.S. Navy Sailor from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), left, watches as the Philippine Navy’s Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16), center, and Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336) sail in formation during a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024. Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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 Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)