Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class Cody Schiffman, from Rockford, is assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), conducts maintenance on an aircraft tow tractor.

America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the 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 3rd Class Jonathan D. Berlier)