231017-N-RQ159-1044 EAST CHINA SEA (Oct. 17, 2023) Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Joshua Bagaforo, from Washougal, Washington, removes a panel from an EA-18G Growler, attached to the Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141, during an inspection in the hangar bay of the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in the East China Sea, Oct. 17. The primary role of EA-18G Growlers is to disrupt the ability to communicate between units in combat through the use of electronic warfare. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Heather McGee)