200707-N-ML137-1075 SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 7, 2020)

200707-N-ML137-1075 SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 7, 2020) An MH-60S Sea Hawk attached to the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 receives supplies from dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) to transport to the flight deck of the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS). Ronald Reagan’s ability to conduct RAS provides the strike group with a tactical advantage of sustained operational presence. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samantha Jetzer)