U.S. Navy Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Jadon Howard stands watch on the bridge wing aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) as the Italian navy Carlo Bergamini-class frigate ITS Alpino (F 594) sails alongside in the South China Sea, Sept. 9, 2024. Russell 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. 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)