USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 2) steams in formation with

USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 2) steams in formation with the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Valiant Shield 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Timothy M. Black)