South China Sea Collection (#4)

A helicopter clears the flight deck of the Military Sealift Command ammunition ship
April 6, 2007 - A helicopter clears the flight deck of the Military Sealift Command ammunition ship USNS Flint (T-AE 32)

n MH-60S Sea Hawk en route with a shipment of supplies during a vertical replenishment
South China Sea, August 10, 2011 - An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter offloads aircraft parts from the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204)

An MH-60R Sea Hawk transfers supplies to the flight deck of USS Wayne E. Meyer
South China Sea, October 25, 2011 - An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter transfers supplies to the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Wayne E

Airmen attach pallet rigs to an SA-330J Puma helicopter aboard USS Essex
South China Sea, October 27, 2011 - Airmen attach pallet rigs to an SA-330J Puma helicopter abord the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex during a replenishment at sea

Sailors bow their heads in prayer at a memorial service
South China Sea, July 17, 2012 - Sailors bow their heads in prayer at a memorial service aboard USS George Washington

An MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft prepares to land on the flight deck
South China Sea, February 19, 2014 - An MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft prepares to land on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

Aviation Boatswains Mate directs a UH-1Y Venom
South China Sea, February 7, 2013 - Aviation Boatswains Mate directs a UH-1Y Venom helicopter as it lifts off from the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard

A Sailor directs a C-2A Greyhound on the flight deck of USS George Washington
South China Sea, November 1, 2013 - A Sailor directs a C-2A Greyhound on the flight deck of the U.S. Navys forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington

An F / A-18C Hornet lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan
South China Sea, August 10, 2011 - An F/A-18C Hornet lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan

An F / A-18E Super Hornet launches from USS George Washington
South China Sea, November 5, 2013 - An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73)

Guided missile destroyers USS Dewey and USS Pinckney transit the South China Sea
South China Sea, October 5, 2011 - The guided-missile destroyers USS Dewey (DDG 105), front, and USS Pinckney (DDG 91) transit together during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)

A sailor fires an M240B machine gun aboard USS McCampbell
South China Sea, October 22, 2012 - A sailor fires an M240B machine gun during a live-fire exercise at sea aboard the guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell

Sailors give launch approval for an EA-6B Prowler aboard USS John C. Stennis
South China Sea, September 2, 2011 - Sailors give launch approval for an EA-6B Prowler aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

USS Stockdale and the Canadian frigate HMCS Regina
South China Sea, February 11, 2013 - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and the Canadian frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334)

MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters launch AGM-114 hellfire missiles
South China Sea, May 18, 2013 - Two MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters launch AGM-114 hellfire missiles during a live fire exercise

An E-2C Hawkeye launches from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington
South China Sea, August 13, 2011 - An E-2C Hawkeye launches from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington

USS Princeton conducts flight operations with an MH-60R Sea Hawk
South China Sea, May 18, 2013 - The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59) conducts flight operations with an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter

Marines rappel from a CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter
South China Sea, February 28, 2010 - Marines embarked onboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2)

Airmen remove the chocks and chains from an MH-60S Sea Hawk
South China Sea, June 3, 2014 - Boatswains Mates remove the chocks and chains from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter before takeoff aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)

An MH-60S Sea Hawk takes off from the flight deck of USS Bonhomme Richard
South China Sea, February 8, 2013 - An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

USS Abraham Lincoln and aircraft perform a aerial demonstration
South China Sea, May 8, 2006 - The Nimitz Class Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 2 perform a aerial demonstration in the South China Sea

USS Fitzgerald during a replenishment at sea
South China Sea, July 24, 2013 - The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) is replenished with 165, 000 gallons of fuel

The Republic of the Philippines Navy ships cruise in formationwhile taking part in
South China Sea, March 14, 2010 - The Republic of the Philippines navy Jacinto-class corvette ship BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36), left

Sailors man the rails of USS Stockdale
South China Sea, February 11, 2013 - Sailors man the rails of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale

A sailor refuels an F / A-18E Super Hornet
South China Sea, May 22, 2013 - A sailor refuels an F/A-18E Super Hornet on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz

USS Cowpens makes a high speed turn after an underway replenishment
South China Sea, July 5, 2012 - The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) makes a high speed turn and breaks away from the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler

An airborne change of command in the sky over the South China Sea
January 5, 2012 - An airborne change of command in the sky over the South China Sea

USS Nimitz transits the South China Sea
South China Sea, November 19, 2013 - The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transits the South China Sea

Military ships operate in formation in the South China Sea
South China Sea, February 15, 2010 - The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG-65)

An F / A-18F Super Hornet lands on the flight deck aboard USS Nimitz
South China Sea, November 23, 2013 - An F/A-18F Super Hornet lands on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter lowers pallets of supplies onto USS Bonhomme Richard
South China Sea, February 8, 2013 - An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter lowers pallets of supplies during a vertical replenishment on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard

An F / A-18E Hornet taking off from USS George Washington
South China Sea, July 9, 2012 - An F/A-18E Hornet launches from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington

Flight deck personnel reposition AV-8B Harrier aircraft aboard USS Essex
South China Sea, October 25, 2011 - Flight deck personnel reposition AV-8B Harrier aircraft aboard amphibious assault ship USS Essex

An aircraft director directs an E-2C Hawkeye aboard USS George Washington
South China Sea, July 1, 2014 - An aircraft director signals the pilot of an E-2C Hawkeye during engine start-up procedures on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73)

Satellite view of Indochina
December 24, 2009 - Satellite view of Indochina

Brown and yellow folded sea slug, Indonesia
Brown and yellow folded sea slug (chelidonura amoena) nudibranch, South China Sea, Indonesia

An MH-60R Sea Hawk maneuvers over the South China Sea
South China Sea, May 18, 2013 - An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter maneuvers over the South China Sea

USS Cowpens transits alongside USNS Tippecanoe
South China Sea, July 21, 2012 - The forward-deployed Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) transits alongside the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS

ircraft are stacked on the bow of USS Ronald Reagan
South China Sea, April 6, 2007 - Aircraft are stacked on the bow of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), to clear the rest of the flight deck and the hangar bay for ammunition offload

U. S. Navy Petty Officer leans out the door of an SH-60 Seahawk
April 6, 2007 - U.S. Navy Petty Officer leans out the door of an SH-60 Seahawk as the helicopter approaches the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)

An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter lifts off from USS Wayne E. Meyer
South China Sea, August 6, 2014 - An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter lifts off from the guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108)

USS Rainier transfers ordnance to another ship while in the South China Sea, 1970
February 1970 - USS Rainier (AE-5) transfers ordnance to another Seventh Fleet ship while operating in the South China Sea

Task Force 77 operating in the South China Sea, March 1965. It had recently launched strikes against North Vietnam. Carriers present are (clockwise from bottom): USS Ranger (CVA-61)

An A-3B Skywarrior landing aboard USS Kitty Hawk, 1966
April 13, 1966 - An A-3B Skywarrior of Heavy Attack Squadron 4 (VAH-4) prepares to release arresting cable after landing aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) while underway in the South China Sea

The Philippines, Formosa, South China, the Kingdoms of Tonkin, Cochin China, Cambodia
KW205831 The Philippines, Formosa, South China, the Kingdoms of Tonkin, Cochin China, Cambodia, Siam, Laos, and part of those of Pegu and Ava

Map of the South China Sea, from the itinerary of La Perouse, 1787 (engraving)
XIR1272877 Map of the South China Sea, from the itinerary of La Perouse, 1787 (engraving) by French School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Jean FranAzois de Galaup)

The magnificent Halong Bay, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay, sunset at Cat Ba Island
Vietnam, Quang Ninh Province, Ha Long Bay, sunset at Cat Ba Island. Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular travel destination

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The South China Sea, a breathtaking expanse of turquoise waters and hidden treasures, holds countless stories within its depths. From the towering rock formations of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam, to the pristine beaches of Borneo's Sabah region in Malaysia, this region is a paradise for adventurers. In the annals of history, tales emerge like that of the brave merchant ship attacked by Chinese pirates off these treacherous shores. The year was 1898 when A Hansen, first officer on the Knivsberg, faced danger head-on and lived to tell his harrowing tale. Not far from Da Nang lies a leper colony village nestled along the South China Sea. Here, amidst stunning vistas and resilient spirits, lives are rebuilt with hope and compassion. Traveling back in time to Sumatra during the 1800s reveals an era where trade routes thrived along these waters. Merchants sailed through this maritime crossroads connecting diverse cultures and exchanging goods that shaped Southeast Asia's rich heritage. Further south lies Thailand's Gulf of Thailand on Ko Samui island - a tropical haven where azure waves meet golden sands. Relaxation takes hold as you immerse yourself in nature's embrace. Venturing westward brings us to Palawan in the Philippines - home to Coron Island within the Calamian archipelago. Its crystal-clear waters beckon explorers seeking underwater wonders while El Nido Bay offers tranquility aboard outrigger boats amidst Bacuit Archipelago’s limestone cliffs. Beneath these enchanting seas lie vibrant coral reefs teeming with life; Gorgonian Seafan Coral polyps open their delicate arms at nightfall to feed upon passing nutrients brought by ocean currents – an awe-inspiring sight indeed. Finally, we find ourselves on Pulau Tioman (Tioman Island) off Malaysia's Pahang coast - specifically Berjaya Beach at Berjaya Tioman Resort.