Lt. Richard Wheeler, from Bradenton, FL., conducts pre-flight checks on a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter prior to flight operations aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16).
Tulsa, with embarked Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, are part of Destroyer Squadron Seven and on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Colby A. Mothershead
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