photo #1363201

SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 13, 2021) Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) comes alongside fleet replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) during a fueling at sea. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is 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. As part of the U.S. Navy's Combat Logistics Force, Tippecanoe, provides underway replenishment of fuel, fleet cargo and supplies to U.S. and international partners' ships. Military Sealift Command Far East ensures approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific region, are manned, trained and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and on shore. (U.S. Navy photo by Martin Hanninen) See Less