SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 24, 2019) Sailors assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 prepare an MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter on the flight deck of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) during routine operations at sea, Dec. 24, 2019. Gabrielle Giffords is on a rotational deployment to INDOPACOM, conducting operations, exercises and port visits throughout the region and working hull-to-hull with allied and partner navies to provide maritime security and stability, key pillars of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Damon Grosvenor)