SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 6, 2017) Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) prepares to join USS Dewey (DDG 105) for a replenishment-at-sea with the Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194). Sterett and Dewey comprise the Sterett-Dewey Surface Action Group and is the third deploying group operating under the command and control construct called 3rd Fleet Forward. U.S. 3rd Fleet operating forward offers additional options to the Pacific Fleet commander by leveraging the capabilities of 3rd and 7th Fleets. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Byron C. Linder/Released)
