Bolstering defense efforts in Coral Sea

IN THE CORAL SEA — Navy Lt. Megan Ricker of Bremerton makes a report on July 17 during an air defense exercise aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104).

USS Sterett is participating in Talisman Saber 17, an exercise intended to flex the “Up-Gunned Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG)” concept, using cruiser and destroyer assets to protect the ESG against air threats.

Talisman Saber is a biennial U.S.-Australia bilateral exercise held off the coast of Australia meant to achieve interoperability and strengthen the U.S.-Australia alliance.

(Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Byron C. Linder/U.S. Navy)