U.S. Navy 2021: The Year in Photos

by Navy Office of Information | 27 December 2021

The U.S. Navy entered 2021 with a lot on its plate. Forward presence, the Navy’s primary stock in trade for nearly two and a half centuries, remained in high demand. As they have for more than a century, military photographers and today's Mass Communication Specialists were there to document the work of American Sailors as they carried out their missions around the world, above, on and below the sea. The following photographs illustrate the integrity, accountability, initiative, and toughness of the Navy’s diverse, all-volunteer force of American Sailors and civilians following in the footsteps of those who, for 246 years, have gone before them in defense of freedom. Dedicated to all who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation in 2021. We have the Watch!

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VIDEO | 03:34 | U.S. Navy 2021: The Year in Photos

Sailors prepare COVID-19 vaccines at Naval Base San Diego.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Shane Miller prepares COVID-19 vaccine, Jan. 8, 2021, at the Naval Base San Diego fitness center as part of Operation Warp Speed. (MC1 Julio Rivera)

Sailors train aboard USS Philippine Sea (CG 58).

Sailors assigned to USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) conduct a visit, board, search and seizure drill aboard USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) in the Gulf of Oman, Jan 11, 2021. (MC2 Indra Beaufort)

Cmdr. LaDonna M. Simpson, right, takes command of USS Carter Hall (LSD 50).

Cmdr. LaDonna M. Simpson, right, relieves Cmdr. Matthew R. Shellock as commanding officer of USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), Jan 21, 2021. (GM1 Yasmin M. Rosa)

Sailors stand watch aboard USS Ohio (SSGN 726).

Chief Information Systems Technician (Submarine) Jessica Cooper stands dive of the watch, Jan. 23, 2021, aboard USS Ohio (SSGN 726). (MC2 Kelsey J. Hockenberger)

Naval Medical Center San Diego administers monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment to a COVID-19-positive patient.

Lt. Cmdr. Raben Talvo, left, and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Angela Ramirez administer the first monoclonal antibody treatment to a COVID-19-positive patient at naval Medical Center San Diego, Jan. 26, 2021. (MC3 Harley K. Sarmiento)

U.S. and Saudi Arabia explosive ordnance disposal technicians train in Saudi Arabia.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 3rd Class Rusty Johnson, center, observes a member of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces during a subject matter expert exchange in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 27, 2021. (MC3 Zachary Pearson)

Marines from Force Reconnaissance Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), utilize combat rubber raiding crafts to approach the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) during an integration exercise off the coast of Okinawa, Japan.

Marines approach USS Ohio (SSGN 726) during an integration exercise off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 2, 2021. (Sgt. Destiny Dempsey)

Mount Etna erupts near aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 at Naval Air Station Sigonella.

Mount Etna erupts, Feb. 16, 2021, behind P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. (MC2 Austin Ingram)

USS Barry (DDG 52) participate in exercise Resilient Shield 2021.

Lt. Jeffrey Alcantara stands ballistic missile defense watch in the combat information center aboard USS Barry (DDG 52), Feb. 22, 2021. (Ensign Emilio Mackie)

U.S. Army Staff. Sgt. Kristin Zimmerman, a civil affairs team medic with Civil Affairs East Africa, administers the COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

U.S. Army Staff. Sgt. Kristin Zimmerman administers the COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 27, 2021. (Senior Airman Taylor Davis)

A Sailor fires an M2 .50-caliber machine gun on a Mark VI patrol boat.

A Sailor fires a .50-caliber machine gun aboard a Mark VI patrol boat during a live-fire exercise in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 27, 2021. (Lance Cpl. Brienna Tuck)

The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels debut the “Super Delta” formation during a joint training evolution over Naval Air Facility El Centro.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels debut a F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18 Super Hornet flight formation known as the “Super Delta” during joint training, March 2, 2021, over Naval Air Facility El Centro. (MC2 Cody Hendrix)

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group operates with the Italian and Hellenic navies.

USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), left, the Italian navy frigate ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591), the Hellenic Navy frigate HS Psara (F 494) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), right, are underway in the Mediterranean Sea, March 11, 2021. (MC2 Kaleb J. Sarten)

Sailors heave line aboard USS Mitscher (DDG 57) during a replenishment-at-sea.

Sailors heave in line aboard USS Mitscher (DDG 57) during a replenishment with USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), March 16, 2021, in the Mediterranean Sea. (MC2 Kaleb J. Sarten)

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and the Italian navy aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550) transit the Atlantic Ocean, March 20, 2021. (MC3 Riley McDowell)

Sailors train at the Integrated Tactical Team Trainer 2 at the Center for Surface Combat Systems LCS Training Facility in San Diego.

Sailors simulate the navigation of a littoral combat ship, April 6, 2021, inside the Center for Surface Combat Systems LCS Training Facility in San Diego. (MC2 Kevin C. Leitner)

An MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter assigned to the "Longhorns" of Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) Squadron, practices pinnacle landings and extractions during a mountain flying SAR training event.

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter practices pinnacle landings and extractions, April 8, 2021, during a mountain search and rescue training in Fallon, Nev. (MCC Shannon Renfroe)

Sailors stand watch aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3).

Operations Specialists 2nd Class Daniela Mireles, left, and Haley Fuentes stand watch, April 12, 2021, in the combat information center aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in the Atlantic Ocean. (MCSA Gwyneth Vandevender)

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) in the Arabian Sea.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) replenishes from USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) in the Arabian Sea, April 13, 2021. (MCSN Trent P. Hawkins)

Naval Special Warfare combatant craft conduct maritime interoperability training USS San Diego (LPD 22).

Naval Special Warfare operators and Marines train alongside USS San Diego (LPD 22) near Guam, April 17, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo)

n MQ-9 Sea Guardian unmanned maritime surveillance aircraft system flies over Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) during U.S. Pacific Fleet's Unmanned Systems Integrated Battle Problem (UxS IBP) 21.

An MQ-9 Sea Guardian unmanned aircraft flies over USS Coronado (LCS 4) in the Pacific Ocean, April 21, 2021. (MCC Shannon Renfroe)

UTC-2 work on a mooring anchor during Project Big Wave.

Utilitiesman 2nd Class Joseph Maddox drills to secure a mooring anchor for cable landing operations in the Indian Ocean, April 26, 2021. (EO2 Adam Porras)

A U.S. Marine conducts carrier qualifications in an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08).

A U.S. Marine conducts carrier qualifications in an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, May 2, 2021, aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) off the coast of the United Kingdom. (1st Lt. Zachary Bodner)

A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet refuels, May, 3, 2021, with a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender over Alaska. (Master Sgt. Burt Traynor)

Marines board an MV-22 Osprey aboard USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during Northern Edge 2021.

Marines board an MV-22 Osprey aboard USS Makin Island (LHD 8) in the north Pacific Ocean, May 3, 2021. (MC2 Michael J. Lieberknecht)

Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Ethan Sauer performs pre-flight ordnance checks on a F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 during flight operations aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in the Arabian Sea.

Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Ethan Sauer checks ordnance, May 4, 2021, on a F/A-18E Super Hornet aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in the Arabian Sea. (Seaman Mo Bourdi)

Rear Adm. Michael Wettlaufer speaks with Chief Hull Maintenance Technician Jermaine Vivetter inside the USS Chief Firefighter Trainer during a tour of Recruit Training Command.

Recruits train inside the USS Chief Firefighter Trainer at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill., May 11, 2021. (MCC Brandie Nix)

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) transits the Elizabeth River as it departs Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) transits the Elizabeth River, May 12, 2021, after completing a 10-month scheduled extended carrier incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. (MC2 Steven Edgar)

A recruit chief petty officer stands at the lead of her formation before their pass-in-review graduation ceremony at Recruit Training Command.

Recruits prepare to graduate from Recruit Training Command, May 13, 2021, in Great Lakes, Ill. (MC1 Spencer Fling)

Sailors maintain an F/A-18E Super Hornet aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).

Sailors maintain aircraft aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in the Arabian Sea, May 16, 2021. (MCSN Orion K. Shotton)

Sailors conduct search and rescue swimmer training aboard USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4).

Boatswain’s Mate Seamen Jonathan Arevalo, left, and Jorge Loli conduct search and rescue swimmer training from USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in the Mediterranean Sea, May 16, 2021. (MC2 Eric Coffer)

U.S. Navy aircraft fly above the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) as LCAC transits alongside.

U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft fly above the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) as it transits the Atlantic Ocean with U.S. Navy LCACs, May 17, 2021. (Lt. Mark Nash)

EODCS Kenton Stacy receives departure honors during his retirement ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.

Senior Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Kenton Stacy receives departure honors during his retirement ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., May 20, 2021. (ISC Terry Flores)

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) steams off the coast of Iwo To.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transits the Philippine Sea off the coast of Iwo To, formerly Iwo Jima, May 22, 2021. (MC2 Jason Tarleton)

USS Somerset (LPD 25) returns to San Diego after a seven-month deployment.

Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class Kameron Bradley greets his family, May 24, 2021, after returning from a seventh-month deployment. (MC2 Michael J. Lieberknecht)

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) passes Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery as it returns to Naval Air Station North Island.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) passes Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, May 25, 2021, as it returns to Naval Air Station North Island. (MC2 Natalie M. Byers)

USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) launches an SM-3 missile during exercise At-Sea Demo/Formidable Shield.

USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) launches an SM-3 missile during an exercise in the Atlantic Ocean, May 26, 2021. (MC2 Nathan T. Beard)

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conducts flight operations, May 31, 2021, in the Philippine Sea. (MC3 Quinton A. Lee)

USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), left, and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) transit the Suez Canal, June 1, 2021. (MCSN Jacob M. Turrigiano)

Sailors load a Mark 48 torpedo aboard USS Columbia (SSN 771) in Pearl Harbor.

Sailors assigned to USS Columbia (SSN 771) load a torpedo for Exercise Agile Dagger 2021 in Pearl Harbor, June 2, 2021. (MC1 Michael B. Zingaro)

An unmanned Boeing MQ-25 T1 Stingray test aircraft refuels a manned F/A-18 Super Hornet.

An unmanned Boeing MQ-25 T1 Stingray, left, refuels a manned F/A-18 Super Hornet, June 4, 2021, near Mascoutah, Ill. (Boeing Corp.)

USS Vicksburg (CG 69) prepares to depart the BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair dry dock pier.

Dry dock flooding begins USS Vicksburg’s (CG 69) departure from BAE Systems ship repair dry dock pier in Norfolk, June 10, 2021. (MC3 Brandon Roberson)

USS Tulsa (LCS 16) conducts routine operations in the Philippine Sea.

USS Tulsa (LCS 16) transits the Philippine Sea, June 6, 2021. (MC2 Colby A. Mothershead)

USS Alabama (SSBN 731) operates in the Pacific Ocean.

Sailors man the bridge aboard USS Alabama (SSBN 731) in the Pacific Ocean, June 17, 2021. (MCC Josue L. Escobosa)

Navy Divers assigned to Naval Special Warfare Command conduct operations with the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777).

Navy divers conduct operations with USS North Carolina (SSN 777), June 18, 2021, off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii. (MC2 Alex Perlman)

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transits the Strait of Malacca.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and USS Halsey (DDG 97) transit the South China Sea, June 18, 2021. (MC1 Rawad Madanat)

USS Halsey (DDG 97) transits the Arabian Sea.

USS Halsey (DDG 97) replenishes from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), not pictured, in the Arabian Sea, June 26, 2021. (MCSN Oswald Felix Jr.)

USS America (LHA 6) conducts night flight operations.

An F-35B Lighting II lands aboard USS America (LHA 6) during night flight operations, June 26, 2021. (MC2 Vincent E. Zline)

The U.S. Navy Band performs at the Washington Navy Yard.

Musician 1st Class Kristine Hsia and Senior Chief Musician Luis Hernandez perform with the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, June 29, 2021. (MUCS Adam Grimm)

USS America (LHA 6) conducts a toxic gas drill.

Sailors aboard USS America (LHA 6) conduct a toxic gas drill in the East China Sea, June 30, 2021. (MC3 Jonathan D. Berlier)

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conducts flight operations in the Arabian Sea.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conducts night flight operations in the Arabian Sea, July 1, 2021. (MCSN Gray Gibson)

Chief Master-at-Arms Cornelius Johnson stands watch on the bridge aboard the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF-9).

Chief Master-at-Arms Cornelius Johnson stands watch aboard USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF-9) in the Pacific Ocean, July 12, 2021. (MCC Joseph R. Vincent)

Sailors set up a barricade on the flight deck during a damage control drill aboard aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in the Gulf of Aden.

Sailors set up a barricade during a damage control drill aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in the Gulf of Aden, July 13, 2021. (MCSN Gray Gibson)

Officers aboard the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) station alongside the Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) to receive fuel during a replenishment at sea.

USS Germantown (LSD 42), foreground, stations alongside USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) to receive fuel as USS America (LHA 6) conducts a replenishment-at-sea, July 16, 2021, in the Philippine Sea. (MCSA Nicholas M. Skyles)

Members of Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Mid America’s all-women color guard prepare to present the colors at Busch Stadium.

An all-women color guard presents the colors at Busch Stadium, July 16, 2021. (MC1 Chris Williamson)

Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Genaro Ortiz, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), picks up his son following the ship’s arrival to Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Genaro Ortiz picks up his son, July 18, 2021, during a homecoming celebration for USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (MC3 Aaron Lau)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) fires the 5-inch gun for Naval Surface Fire Support.

USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) participates in Talisman Sabre 21 in the Coral Sea, July 18, 2021. (MC3 Daniel Serianni)

From left the Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204), the Republic of Korea navy Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer ROKS Wand Geon (DDH 978), the Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta (FFH 154), the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Takanami-class destroyer JS Makinami (DD 112), the Military Sealift Command Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Calgary (FFH 335), center, the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD 18), back left, the Royal Australian Navvy Hobart-class air warfare destroyer HMAS Brisbane (DDG 41) and the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) steam in formation during Talisman Sabre (TS) 21.

USS America (LHA 6) leads a formation of international navy ships during Talisman Sabre 21 in the Coral Sea, July 22, 2021. (MC3 Daniel Serianni)

Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) conduct a replenishment-at-sea with Henry J. Kaiser class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199).

Sailors aboard USS Pinckney (DDG 91) heave line during a replenishment with USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) in the South China Sea, July 26, 2021. (MC2 Jeffery L. Southerland)

USS Chicago (SSN 721) loads a UGM-84 anti-ship harpoon missile.

Sailors and civilian contractors load a UGM-84 Harpoon missile onto the submarine in preparation for Large-Scale Exercise 2021 in Pearl Harbor, July 28, 2021. (MC1 Michael B. Zingaro)

EODTEU-1 conduct the parachute phase of the Maritime Insertion Course over San Diego.

Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Evan Bruce jumps from a KC-130 aircraft during a Maritime Insertion Course in San Diego, July 29, 2021. (MC2 Jason Isaacs)

U.S. Marines conduct weapons training aboard USS America (LHA 6).

Marines conduct live-fire training aboard USS America (LHA 6) in the Solomon Sea, Aug. 5, 2021. (Cpl. Karis Mattingly)

USS Monterey (CG 61) departs the Port of Djibouti.

Sailors fire a rifle volley during a burial-at-sea aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 9, 2021. (MCSN Tate Cardinal)

Sailors render a rifle volley during a burial-at-sea aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

Lt. Derrick Petett and Lt. Melissa Deardorff fly an EA-18G Growler above USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) over the Arabian Sea, Aug. 9, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo)

VAQ-141 flies an EA-18G Growler above the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

Lt. Derrick Petett and Lt. Melissa Deardorff fly an EA-18G Growler above USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) over the Arabian Sea, Aug. 9, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo)

MDSU-2 conducts salvage diving training in Onslow Bay off the coast of North Carolina.

Navy Diver 3rd Class Aiden Lockard salvages an aircraft fuselage, Aug. 11, 2021, off the coast of North Carolina during Large-Scale Exercise 2021. (MC1 Arthurgwain L. Marquez)

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Nadezhda Zurbriggen direcst an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5).

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Nadezhda Zurbriggen prepares to direct a helicopter aboard USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), Aug. 11, 2021. (MC2 Hector Carrera)

Marine Corps MV-22B aircraft prepare for take-off from USS America (LHA 6) in the Philippine Sea.

Marine Corps MV-22B aircraft prepare to take-off from USS America (LHA 6) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 17, 2021. (Staff Sgt. John Tetrault)

A Sailor helps an Afghan evacuee at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, Aug. 22, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo)

Ships from the United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group and the USS America Expeditionary Strike Group support Large Scale Global Exercise 21.

Ships from the United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group and the USS America Expeditionary Strike Group begin aviation operations in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 24, 2021. (MC3 Aron Montano)

HSC-26 distributes food aid to Haitian citizens during a humanitarian aid mission.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Jace Borowiak delivers food to Haitian citizens, Aug. 25, 2021, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake. (MC2 Jack D. Aistrup)

An evacuee from Afghanistan exits a U.S. Air Force aircraft after arriving at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Aug. 30, 2021.

An evacuee from Afghanistan arrives at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Aug. 30, 2021. (Staff Sgt. Brytani Musick)

Builder 2nd Class Mercedes Berstecher plays catch with evacuees from Afghanistan aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella.

Builder 2nd Class Mercedes Berstecher plays catch with evacuees from Afghanistan at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, Aug. 30, 2021. (MCC Ben Farone)

The Blue Angels fly over USS Constitution and the city of Boston during a transit flight to Brunswick, Maine, Aug. 30, 2021. (MC2 Cody Hendrix)

Evacuees from Afghanistan board a Boeing 777 before departing Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sep. 2, 2021.

Evacuees from Afghanistan board a Boeing 777 to depart Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sep. 2, 2021. (MC2 Kaila V. Peters)

The Camp Foster Chapel hosts a memorial service for the 13 service members who were killed in action in Kabul, Afghanistan on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Sept. 3, 2021. (Cpl. Brennan J. Beauton)

USS Jackson (LCS 6) departs Palau, Sept. 4, 2021 after a scheduled port visit. (Cpl. Atticus Martinez)

Evacuees from Afghanistan look out of an airplane window at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Sept. 6, 2021. (Sgt. Claudia Nix)

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Maxton W. Soviak is laid to rest Sept. 13, 2021.

The Navy Ceremonial Guard transports the casket of Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Maxton W. Soviak during a graveside service, Sept. 13, 2021, in Milan, Ohio. (MC1 Maddelin Hamm)

Officer Candidate School students patch a ruptured water main in the wet trainer.

Students fix a ruptured water main, Sept. 21, 2021, at Officer Training Command Newport in Newport, R.I. (Paula Niederland)

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) fires a RIM-116A Rolling Airframe Missile.

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) launches a A RIM-116A missile in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 30, 2021. (MC3 Nick Boris)

Members of the NAS Patuxent River search and rescue squadron train at the Patuxent River Aviation Survival Training Center.

The NAS Patuxent River Search and Rescue squadron trains in nighttime water rescue techniques at the Patuxent River Aviation Survival Training Center, Oct. 1, 2021. (CPO Patrick Gordon)

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transit the Philippine Sea, Oct. 3, 2021. (MC2 Michael B. Jarmiolowski)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Oct. 4, 2021) Sailors man the rails aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) as the ship arrives at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) as one of the newest additions to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. For more than 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet’s forward-deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families (U.S. Navy photo by Tetsuya Morita)

USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) arrives at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Oct. 4, 2021). (Tetsuya Morita)

USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) arrives in San Francisco to support San Francisco Fleet Week 2021.

USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) pulls into San Francisco, Oct. 5, 2021, for San Francisco Fleet Week 2021. (Ensign Emily D’Italia)

HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) prepares for a fueling-at-sea with USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during MPX 2021,

The Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) prepare to refuel from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the Bay of Bengal, Oct. 16, 2021. (MCSN Emily Claire Bennett)

An international naval force operates together in the Bay of Bengal.

U.S. Navy aircraft participate in an international formation of naval aircraft over the Bay of Bengal during Maritime Partnership Exercise 2021, Oct. 17, 2021. (MC2 Haydn N. Smith)

An F-35C Lightning II flies over the Bay of Bengal during Maritime Partnership Exercise 2021, Oct. 17, 2021. (MC2 Haydn N. Smith)

USS Tulsa (LCS 16), left, and USS Jackson (LCS 6), right, transit the Philippine Sea with the German navy frigate FGS Bayern (F 217), Oct. 18, 2021. (German Navy)

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro delivers remarks during an all-hands call aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro delivers remarks during an all-hands call aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Oct. 26, 2021). (MCSN Natasha ChevalierLosada)

USS Firebolt (PC 10) fires a Griffin missile during a test and proficiency fire in the Arabian Gulf.

USS Firebolt (PC 10) test-fires a Griffin missile in the Arabian Gulf, Nov. 5, 2021. (Spc. Aleksander Fomin)

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts flight operations.

An F-35C Lightning II launches from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 10, 2021. (1st Lt. Charles Allen)

The future USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

The future USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) transits Pearl Harbor, Nov. 11, 2021. (Melvin J. Gonzalvo)

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts flight operations in the Pacific Ocean.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Julian Fernandp directs aircraft, Nov. 29, 2021, aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). (MC3 Michael Singley)

A Sailor taxis a Boeing unmanned MQ-25 aircraft in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

A Sailor taxis a Boeing unmanned MQ-25 aircraft in the hangar bay aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Nov. 30, 2021. (MC3 Brandon Roberson)

USS Charleston (LCS 18) conducts a vertical replenishment exercise in the Philippine Sea, Dec. 12, 2021. (MC2 Ryan M. Breeden)

USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) departs Naval Station Mayport, Florida to join the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group for a scheduled deployment.

USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) departs Naval Station Mayport, Fla, Dec. 1, 2021. (MC3 Aaron Lau)

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency searches for missing service members Panama.

Kristen Baker, a scientific research expert assigned to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, screens sediment in the Santa Fe National Park in Panama, Dec. 2, 2021. (Sgt. Melanye Martinez)

USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) conducts small boat operations in the Gulf of Aden.

Sailors from USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) conduct small boat operations in the Gulf of Aden, Dec 6, 2021. (MC3 Sang Kim)

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) conducts flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean.

Lt. Cmdr. Rob Nelson launches aircraft aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Dec. 18, 2021, in the Atlantic Ocean. (MC3 Brandon Roberson)